This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38427380

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Queen's Christmas message: 'I draw strength from unsung heroes' Queen's Christmas message: 'Small acts of goodness' inspire
(about 5 hours later)
The Queen will say she draws strength from "ordinary people doing extraordinary things" in her annual televised Christmas Day address. Thousands of "small acts of goodness" can make a difference, even though the world's problems often seem too big to change, the Queen has said.
Volunteers, carers, community workers and good neighbours are unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special, she will say. In her annual Christmas Day address she said she drew strength from "ordinary people doing extraordinary things".
She will also praise the achievements of the UK's Olympians and Paralympians. After paying tribute to the UK's Olympians and Paralympians, she spoke of her admiration for "unsung heroes".
Buckingham Palace has said she will not attend church on Christmas Day because she still has a heavy cold. She spoke about being inspired by the dedication of volunteers, carers, community workers and good neighbours.
The Queen's Christmas address was recorded before news broke that her granddaughter, Zara Tindall, had lost her baby. Church service
The 10-minute message, filmed in Buckingham Palace's regency room, will be broadcast at 15:00 GMT on BBC1, ITV, Sky News channel and BBC Radio 4. Meanwhile, the Queen did not attend church on Christmas Day, with Buckingham Palace saying she was still suffering from a heavy cold.
For the occasion, the Queen wore a deep jade, silk cloque dress by Angela Kelly, as well as a pearl and diamond brooch previously worn by the late Queen Mother. A spokesman said she was staying indoors at Sandringham, her Norfolk estate, to help her recover, but added that she would still participate in the family's Christmas Day celebrations.
In the speech, which will also be broadcast across the Commonwealth, the Queen will congratulate British Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Harry and other royals did attend church at Sandringham, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge went to church in Berkshire, where they are spending Christmas with the Middleton family.
"Having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others," she will say. In her 10-minute Christmas message, filmed in Buckingham Palace's regency room, the Queen spoke about the theme of inspiration, talking about the achievements of Olympians and Paralympians at Rio 2016
Team GB and Paralympics GB both came second in this year's Rio Games. "Having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others," she said.
Her Majesty will also reflect on the achievements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, and The Prince's Trust, which was 40 years old in 2016. Her Majesty said she had been inspired by the "dedication" of doctors, paramedics and crew at the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where the Duke of Cambridge works as a helicopter pilot.
The Queen opened the service's new base in July.
However, she said inspirational people "don't have to save lives or win medals".
'Ordinary' heroes
"I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, community organisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special," she said.
The Queen said problems around the world - including wars and injustice - often seem too big to change.
"When people face a challenge they sometimes talk about taking a deep breath to find courage or strength. In fact, the word 'inspire' literally means 'to breathe in', she said.
"But even with the inspiration of others, it's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems are so big that we can do little to help.
"On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, but the cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine."
She said the 600 charities of which she is patron - many of which joined the Queen for a 90th birthday lunch in The Mall this summer - "inspire me with the work they do".
"From giving friendship and support to our veterans, the elderly or the bereaved, to championing music and dance, providing animal welfare, or protecting our fields and forests, their selfless devotion and generosity of spirit is an example to us all," she added.
Earlier this week, Buckingham Palace said the Queen would step down as patron of 25 charities and organisations, including the NSPCC, Battersea Dog's Home and Save the Children.Earlier this week, Buckingham Palace said the Queen would step down as patron of 25 charities and organisations, including the NSPCC, Battersea Dog's Home and Save the Children.
The Queen remains patron of some 600 charities and bodies, and will highlight their work in the Christmas address. Transform lives
Zara Tindall, the equestrian champion, who is married to former England rugby player Mike Tindall, was due to give birth to her second child in the late spring. Her Majesty also reflected on the achievements of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year, and The Prince's Trust, which was 40 years old in 2016.
The baby would have been the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's sixth great-grandchild. "These started as small initiatives but have grown beyond any expectations and continue to transform young people's lives," she said.
Buckingham Palace said it would not comment on the private matter. She added: "The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received and that love begins small but always grows."
In this year's alternative Christmas message on Channel 4, Brendan Cox, the widower of murdered MP Jo Cox, will call for an end to the "rise of hatred" and pay tribute to his wife. For the occasion, the Queen wore a deep jade, silk cloque dress by Angela Kelly, as well as a pearl and diamond brooch previously worn by the late Queen Mother.
The televised address, which was also broadcast across the Commonwealth, was recorded before news broke that her granddaughter, Zara Tindall, had lost her baby.