Queen says ‘darkness has not overcome the light’

Bangla sanglap desk:The Queen used her Christmas Day message to highlight the ‘moments of darkness’ the world has confronted – stressing the Christian message that light always triumphs over the dark.

A series of terrorist atrocities have shocked the world during 2015, from the mass shootings and bombings in Paris last month to the gun attack at a Tunisia resort during the summer.

But the Queen, whose address contained a traditionally strong religious framework, reflecting her own faith, sounded optimistic in quoting a verse from the Bible – insisting ISIS, or any other terror network, will not ever succeed in their twisted extremist agenda.

Reflecting on the past 12 months, the monarch told the nation: ‘It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”.’

In her annual address – screened at 3pm this afternoon – the Queen described the festive period as ‘a time to remember all that we have to be thankful for’.

In a year that marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Her Majesty also offered renewed appreciation for the service and sacrifice of those who took part in the conflict.

She gave thanks to ‘the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives’, starting with family.

In one light-hearted quip, the Queen also joked about her upcoming landmark birthday.

She will turn 90 next year and recognised that by saying: ‘I am looking forward to a busy 2016, though I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice.’

Continuing the theme of light, she twice mentioned Queen Victoria and Prince Albert being the first people to bring the tradition of erecting a Christmas tree to Britain, adding that they had changed significantly since then.

The Queen recorded her Christmas message seated at a desk in Buckingham Palace’s 18th Century Room in the Belgian Suite, with a large Christmas tree in the background.

She is wearing a tweed day dress in white and silver by Angela Kelly which was part of an outfit worn for a Diamond Jubilee visit to Wales in 2012.

On her left shoulder sat an art deco diamond and aquamarine brooch, previously owned by the Queen Mother, and around her neck were three strands of pearls.

There were three family photographs on her desk. The first was taken by celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino to mark the christening of Princess Charlotte in July. The image shows the Duchess of Cambridge holding her daughter while the Duke holds his son Prince George.

The second photo was of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall on their wedding day in April 2005, and the final image was an informal picture of the Queen, wearing a headscarf and jacket, and the Duke of Edinburgh, wearing a flat cap and jacket, laughing as they lean on walking sticks at the Sandringham Estate.

The Christmas address was written by the Queen and reflected current issues, drawing on her own experiences over the past year.

The speech is notably one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice but is able to voice her own views.

The message was transmitted on television and radio at 3pm and was produced this year by ITN.

It is now available on the Royal Channel on YouTube and will also be shown in Commonwealth countries.