Queen delivers sombre Christmas message
Queen delivers annual Christmas message, drawing attention to "feelings of insecurity" in UK and wider world
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Thursday, 25, Dec 2008 10:51
The Queen has delivered her annual Christmas message, drawing attention to the "feelings of insecurity" in Britain and the wider world.
The speech, the Queen's 51st, began with recognition of the "more sombre occasion" Christmas represented for many of her subjects this year.
"People are touched by events that have their roots far across the world, whether it is the global economy or violence in a distant land, the effects can be keenly felt at home," she said.
However, the 'credit crunch Christmas' message predicted by many media outlets failed to materialise, with the Queen continuing to more upbeat sections of her broadcast.
The Queen, delivering the message in the music room at Buckingham Palace, paid tribute to Britain's servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, who she described as the successors to the survivors of the first world war.
"In this 90th year since the end of the first world war the last survivors recently commemorated the service and enormous sacrifice of their own generation," the Queen said.
"Their successors in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan are still to be found in harm's way in the service of others.
"For their loved ones the worry will never case until they are safely home."
This year's message was also more personal than recent broadcasts, with the Queen reflecting on the "blessing, comfort and support" she and Prince Philip had gained through their family, in this "special year" for their son Prince Charles.
After hailing the contributions made by her grandsons Princes William and Harry, the Queen went on to say: "At Christmas we feel very fortunate to have our family around us, but for many of you this Christmas will mean separation from loved ones and perhaps reflection on the memories of those no longer with us."
She also praised those people who are generous with their talents or their time; people she described as the "most happy, content and fulfilled".
"There are those who use their prosperity or good fortune for the benefit of others, whether they number among the great philanthropists or are people who with whatever they have simply have a desire to help those less fortunate than themselves," the Queen said.
"What they offer comes in the form of what can easily be recognised as service to the nation or service to the wider community.
"As often as not however their unselfishness is a simply taken for granted part of the life of their family or neighbourhood; they tend to have some sense that life itself is full of blessings, and is a precious gift for which we should be thankful.
"When life seems hard the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat, instead they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future."