Annus horribilis

Annus horribilis is a Latin phrase meaning 'horrible year'. It is a pun on annus mirabilis meaning 'year of wonders'.

Queen Elizabeth II

The phrase was most famously used by Queen Elizabeth II in her Christmas message when she described the year 1992 as her "annus horribilis." Her most immediate reference was to a fire in Windsor Castle just four days before, but this occurred after several negative events and publicity damaged the reputation of the Royal Family.

In March of that year, it was announced that the Queen's second son, the Duke of York, would separate from his wife Sarah. Later in the year, scandalous pictures of a topless Sarah being kissed by her friend, John Bryan, were published in the tabloids. In April, the Queen's daughter, the Princess Royal, divorced her husband Captain Peter Philips. Another negative event occurred in November when one of the Queen's homes, Windsor Castle, caught fire. The Castle was seriously damaged, and several priceless artifacts were lost. Originally, it was planned that the Government would pay the forty million pound bill for repairs, but there was much public outcry against having the Government pay. Later, the Queen agreed to open up several royal residences to tourists, and used the funds raised thereby to pay for the repairs. In December, the Royal Family faced further difficulties; the separation of the Prince of Wales and his wife Diana was announced.

On the November 24, the Queen gave a speech at Guildhall, London, in which she said, "1992 is not a year I shall look back on with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an annus horribilis."

Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan used the phrase in his speech on 21st December 2004. "There's no doubt that this has been a particularly difficult year, and I am relieved that this annus horribilis is coming to an end," he said. His remarks were widely interpreted (see for instance [1] from the Associated Press) to have been regarding allegations of corruption in the UN's Iraq Oil-for-Food programme.