“It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it'”.
The queen delivered her first Christmas message in 1952 and has done so every year since apart from in 1969, when a repeat of a documentary about the royal family was shown instead.
Sitting at a desk in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room, she said: “Gathering round the tree gives us a chance to think about the year ahead – I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me a couple of times or twice”.
The Queen said that her great-great-grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, helped inspire the custom of decorating a tree for Christmas.
Duchess Kate walked to the church next to her husband Prince William in Aquatalia Rhumba boots.
The queen, who writes the address herself, pre-recorded this year’s message at Buckingham Palace in London.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II shelters under an umbrella as she leaves, after attending the British royal family’s traditional Christmas Day church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England, Friday.
It has been rumored that the royals invited Kate’s family to join in on the festivities as well.
The royal mother-of-two, 33, wore a Sportmax wool coat and a Cezanne Paintbox Pleated Dress from Great Plains, accessorized with a hat, believed to be by Sylvia Fletcher for Lock Hatters, People reports.
The queen, in a festive red coat, arrived in a Bentley to lead the family to the service amid some sprinkles of rain.
As Us Weekly previously reported, Kate, William and their two children have been spending the holiday at Anmer Hall, their 10-bedroom home close to the Queen’s estate in Norfolk. It’s also being posted on the royal YouTube channel.
Others members of the Royal family who attended the service included the Queen, Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice.
