Queen's annual Christmas message has theme of family

Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas message will have a theme of family and community.

A preview of the British monarch's annual address was released to the media on Saturday (Christmas Eve). The broadcast was recorded in the 1844 Room of Buckingham Palace on December 9, before the Queen's husband Prince Philip was admitted to hospital for surgery on a blocked coronary artery.



The Queen says in a 20-second preview: "Of course, family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organisation or nation. The Commonwealth is a family of 53 nations, all with a common bond, shared beliefs, mutual values and goals."

The broadcast - which will air in its traditional 3pm Christmas Day slot - will feature pupils from St Joseph's Catholic Infants' School in Camberwell, south London, and the Band of the Irish Guards.



Sky News has produced the Queen's annual message for the first time this year, joining the BBC and ITV as part of a two-year rota system.

The message will also be made available on Amazon Kindle for the first time.

Channel 4 will air two alternative Christmas Day messages this year. The first, at 1.55pm, will feature Max Laird from Seven Dwarves, Susan Campbell-Duncan of Beauty and the Beast, My Transsexual Summer's Karen Gale and acid attack victim Katie Piper from Katie: My Beautiful Friends.

The second - airing at 4.15pm - will feature Educating Essex headteacher Vic Goddard and deputy headteacher Stephen Drew.