Queen Elizabeth's Christmas message notes "moments of darkness"
SANDRINGHAM, England - In a festive red coat, Queen Elizabeth II led the royal family to a traditional Christmas Day church service Friday, but young Prince George and his baby sister Princess Charlotte stayed home amid the sprinkles of rain.
Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were among the royals attending the service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate as some 1,000 well-wishers marked the festivities, which included the National Anthem and several hymns.
Prince William and his wife Kate came as well, but they left George, 2, and 7-month-old Charlotte at home. Kate wore a green coat and hat and chatted with brother-in-law Prince Harry.
The queen used her Christmas broadcast Friday to emphasize that light can triumph over darkness after a difficult year.
In the prerecorded speech - a longstanding Christmas tradition - the queen noted there have been "moments of darkness" in the last year, which has been marked by extremist attacks and a migrant crisis that has overwhelmed Europe. But she cites the Bible as offering solace.
"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 said.
The queen's Christmas message is broadcast every year on radio and television in Britain and in many parts of the British Commonwealth. It's also being posted on the royal YouTube channel.
The 89-year-old queen writes the brief speech herself, often reflecting on her own personal beliefs and stressing the importance of family. This year she marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II by thanking those who served in the conflict.
The speech also had a few lighter moments. The queen talked about watching her great-grandchildren help decorate the tree -- "one of the joys of living a long life," she said -- and alluded to her upcoming 90th birthday in April. "I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice."
The queen, her husband Prince Philip and senior members of the royal family plan to spend most of the day at her sprawling Sandringham estate in Norfolk, 110 miles (175 kilometers) north of London. There is usually a gala Christmas lunch for the royals after church, followed by a walk outside.