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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Queen's tribute to British troops | Queen's tribute to British troops |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Queen has used her Christmas speech to express her sadness at the death toll among UK troops in Afghanistan. | The Queen has used her Christmas speech to express her sadness at the death toll among UK troops in Afghanistan. |
| The monarch offered her sympathy to the families of the 106 service personnel who have died this year. | The monarch offered her sympathy to the families of the 106 service personnel who have died this year. |
| She said the country owed a "profound debt of gratitude" to all Commonwealth troops who had served in Afghanistan. | |
| The Queen also said the past 12 months had brought problems for many of her subjects, especially those affected by the economic downturn. | The Queen also said the past 12 months had brought problems for many of her subjects, especially those affected by the economic downturn. |
| Difficult year | Difficult year |
| In her annual address to the nation, she said: "Each year that passes seems to have its own character. Some leave us with a feeling of satisfaction, others are best forgotten. | In her annual address to the nation, she said: "Each year that passes seems to have its own character. Some leave us with a feeling of satisfaction, others are best forgotten. |
| "2009 was a difficult year for many, in particular those facing the continuing effects of the economic downturn. | "2009 was a difficult year for many, in particular those facing the continuing effects of the economic downturn. |
| "I am sure that we have all been affected by events in Afghanistan and saddened by the casualties suffered by our forces serving there. | "I am sure that we have all been affected by events in Afghanistan and saddened by the casualties suffered by our forces serving there. |
| "Our thoughts go out to their relations and friends who have shown immense dignity in the face of great personal loss." | "Our thoughts go out to their relations and friends who have shown immense dignity in the face of great personal loss." |
| 'Positive contribution' | 'Positive contribution' |
| The broadcast featured the town of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, where members of the public line the streets to pay their respects to fallen service personnel returned to the UK. | The broadcast featured the town of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, where members of the public line the streets to pay their respects to fallen service personnel returned to the UK. |
| The number of British military deaths in Afghanistan this year stands at 106, the highest figure since the Falklands War in 1982. | The number of British military deaths in Afghanistan this year stands at 106, the highest figure since the Falklands War in 1982. |
| The monarch said: "But we can be proud of the positive contribution that our servicemen and women are making, in conjunction with our allies. | The monarch said: "But we can be proud of the positive contribution that our servicemen and women are making, in conjunction with our allies. |
| "Well over 13,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and across the Commonwealth - Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore - are currently serving in Afghanistan. | "Well over 13,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and across the Commonwealth - Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore - are currently serving in Afghanistan. |
| "The debt of gratitude owed to these young men and women, and to their predecessors, is indeed profound." | "The debt of gratitude owed to these young men and women, and to their predecessors, is indeed profound." |