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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II stands in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace after recording her Christmas Day message to the Commonwealth, on Monday Dec. 22, 2008. [Agencies]
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Worries about the global economy and violence across the world have turned the celebration of Christmas into a more sombre affair this year, Queen Elizabeth said on Thursday.
Britain, like many other developed nations, is facing the risk of a prolonged recession. Unemployment is rising fast, household high street firms are collapsing and several big banks are only able to stay in business with government help.
There has also been an increase in the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan in recent weeks, just as troops in Iraq prepare to come home next year.
"Christmas is a time for celebration, but this year it is a more sombre occasion for many," the Queen said.
"People are touched by events which 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."
But, in her annual Christmas broadcast which dates back to 1957 and is watched by millions across Britain and the Commonwealth, the 82-year-old said those with courage would work hard to survive and improve their lot.
"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," she said, standing by a piano adorned with pictures of her family.
This year has been eventful for the royal family, with Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan for 10 weeks, an inquest into the death of Princess Diana and Prince Charles' 60th birthday.
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(Agencies)
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視頻
英國女王伊麗莎白于本周四發(fā)表圣誕致辭，她在致辭中說，全球經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)和暴力沖突引發(fā)的擔(dān)憂給今年圣誕節(jié)蒙上了一層陰影。
和其它很多發(fā)達(dá)國家一樣，目前英國正面臨長期經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退的危險(xiǎn)。失業(yè)率飆升，公司倒閉，幾家大銀行只能靠政府的援助度日。
就在英國計(jì)劃明年從伊拉克撤軍之時(shí)，近幾周又傳來駐阿富汗英軍死亡人數(shù)上升的消息。
女王說：“圣誕節(jié)本是個(gè)歡慶的節(jié)日，但今年的圣誕節(jié)對(duì)于很多人來說并不開心。”
她說：“世界各地發(fā)生的事情讓人們深感擔(dān)憂。無論是全球經(jīng)濟(jì)衰退還是遠(yuǎn)在異國的暴力沖突，我們都能深切地感覺到。”
但今年82歲的女王稱，勇敢的人會(huì)通過自己的努力度過難關(guān)，改變境況。英國女王一年一度的圣誕致辭始于1957年，每年會(huì)在英國和英聯(lián)邦國家轉(zhuǎn)播，有數(shù)百萬人觀看。
女王站在擺放有王室成員照片的鋼琴邊說：“勇敢的人在困境中不會(huì)低頭認(rèn)輸，相反他們會(huì)更堅(jiān)定地為美好的未來而奮斗。”
今年對(duì)于英國王室來說也是個(gè)多事之年，期間發(fā)生的大事包括英國王位第三繼承人哈里王子赴阿富汗前線服役十周，前王妃戴安娜死因調(diào)查以及查爾斯王儲(chǔ)慶祝60歲生日等。
（實(shí)習(xí)生許雅寧 英語點(diǎn)津姍姍編輯）
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