Queen Elizabeth Pays Tribute to British Troops in Christmas Address
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II broke with tradition Thursday and delivered her annual Christmas message from a military barracks to pay tribute to British troops in Iraq.
Buckingham Palace said it was a first for the queen, who normally makes her Christmas broadcast from inside one of her palaces. This year the queen addressed the nation standing among armored vehicles at the Household Cavalry Barracks in Windsor.
“The men and women of the services continue to face serious risks and dangers as they carry out their duties. They have done this brilliantly,” the queen said. “I think we all have very good reasons for feeling proud of their achievements both in war and as they help to build a lasting peace in trouble spots across the globe.”
The queen also paid tribute to the service members who died this year and said her thoughts were with their families. More than 50 British troops have been killed in Iraq since the start of the war in March.
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