Why did the Queen say "annus horribilis"

Queen Elizabeth II famously used the Latin phrase "annus horribilis" (meaning "horrible year") in a speech on November 24, 1992, at a luncheon celebrating the 40th anniversary of her accession to the throne. The year 1992 had been exceptionally difficult for the Royal Family on multiple fronts. Three of her four children's marriages fell apart—Prince Andrew separated from Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne divorced Captain Mark Phillips, and most significantly, Prince Charles and Princess Diana's separation was announced amid intense media scrutiny and scandal.

Adding to the personal turmoil, Windsor Castle, one of the Queen's favorite residences and a symbol of the monarchy's thousand-year history, suffered a devastating fire on November 20, 1992, destroying over 100 rooms and priceless artworks. The phrase, borrowed from a dry historical commentary, resonated widely because it captured the Queen's understated yet profound expression of a year marked by family breakdown, public embarrassment, and physical loss. The speech was notable because the typically reserved monarch openly acknowledged her troubles, making her more relatable to the public. The phrase "annus horribilis" has since entered popular culture as a way to describe any particularly terrible year filled with personal or professional disasters.