In this photo released on Monday, Queen Elizabeth sits at a desk in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace, after recording her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth, in London. LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II is using her annual Christmas message to pay tribute to the way the cities of London and Manchester pulled together after extremist attacks this year. The Queen praised Manchester, hit by a suicide bomber in May, and London, which endured attacks on Parliament, London Bridge and other landmarks. Queen Elizabeth also paid tribute to her husband, who this year stepped down from most public duties because of his advancing years. The Queen said in her brief broadcast that the Royal Family looks forward "to welcoming new members into it next year."

Source: Huffington Post December 25, 2017 17:03 UTC