This year's Queen's speech has sparked an angry backlash on social media - because the monarch addressed the nation on social issues while sat in front of a gilded piano.

The 92-year-old's annual Christmas Day speech, which placed her in the ornate surroundings of the White Drawing Room in Buckingham Palace, saw her discussing heavyweight subjects such as 'tribalism' while perched in front of the 19th century gold piano originally made for Queen Victoria.

The sight of the extravagant musical instrument prompted discussion over whether it was the right backdrop for a speech that addressed rich and poor on Christmas Day, with many struggling with austerity.

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Out of tune? The Queen delivered her annual Christmas message surrounded by photographs of her family, with a Christmas tree behind her and as well as the eye-catching gilded piano, which was made for Queen Victoria in 1856

Perched next to a writing desk, the Queen wore a silk and lace cocktail dress by Angela Kelly, and a gold, ruby and diamond brooch - a present from her husband Prince Philip in 1966.

@Tech_FTW wrote: 'I liked the bit where she was sitting on a gold chair in a gold room with her gold fire guard and gold clock in front of a gold mirror beside the gold piano writing with her gold pen next to the gold picture frame wearing her gold bracelet talking about poverty #QueensSpeech'.

Although the Queen didn't address poverty directly, she did talk about the need to 'respect other human beings' but for some, the setting was 'tone deaf' to the Queen's words.

@StephenBlakeman wrote: 'No doubt it’s a PR car crash. Whoever had the bright idea to place her like that, surrounded by such a display of wealth, will probably be looking for a new job in the New Year.'

@beanrulechester added: 'The ironic thing about the Queen recording her message in front of a gold plated musical instrument is that it was a bit tone deaf.'

While Twitter has been awash with comments suggesting the choice of backdrop was unwise, many have defended the Queen, joking that she's unlikely to present the annual speech from a 'bedsit in Peckham'

THE QUEEN'S GILDED ERARD PIANO THAT'S SPARKED A CONCERTO OF COMMENTS The eye-catching piano is the work of Erard – the French firm whose instruments were famously used by Chopin. It was bought by Queen Victoria in 1856, but the piano isn't, as some on Twitter have claimed, entirely made of gold. Comprising pine, satinwood and mahogany, it is mounted on brass and gilt bronze and has a gilded (decorated with gold leaf) finish. The 19th century instrument was made for Queen Victoria in 1856 and features cheeky monkeys and cherubs on its grandiose exterior The instrument was restored in 2010 and took pride of place in the Victoria and Albert exhibition held in the Queen's Gallery. Highly decorated, the 19th century piano features monkeys and cherubs, something which attracted Queen Victoria to it in the first place. The value of the piano is uncertain as it is a one of a kind model, but according to Classic FM, Erards from a similar time period fetch prices of around $175,000 (£138,000). Advertisement

However, others defended the Queen, saying it's not unexpected that she might live in luxury.

@blackbear001 penned: 'Most golden people would never acknowledge the existence of poverty. Brava, Queen Elizabeth! And thanks for all your activities that highlight and alleviate poverty in United Kingdom and elsewhere in our world.'

@sarahgayle695 wrote: 'To have a queen and treat her like one and then complain that her lifestyle is to fancy...it’s annoying. Don’t have a monarchy then.'

@Bunnyaimee added: 'But she already OWNS these things? By throwing away a piano it isn't helping anyone, it's just one less item in her home. As a disabled person myself yes it is difficult because my entire life costs more than your average life, but I'm not angry because the queen has a gold piano.'

The broadcast was recorded on December 12 and produced this year by Sky News. It ended as it had begun, with singing from the choir of King's College, Cambridge.