Queen reflects on tragedy and terror

The Queen: "Horror" at terror attacks

LONDON, England -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, in solemn mood for her 50th Christmas message, reflected on the evil of the September 11 terrorist outrages in America.

In a downbeat television, radio and Internet broadcast, she acknowledged that the past year had brought trials and disasters for many people.

The UK had been hit by floods as well as the foot-and-mouth epidemic, with devastating consequences.

"But whilst many of these events were of natural origin, it was the human conflicts and the wanton acts of crime and terror against fellow human beings which have so appalled us all," she said.

"The terrorist outrages in the United States last September brought home to us the pain and grief of ordinary people the world over who find themselves innocently caught up in such evil."

The TV version of the Christmas message, recorded at Buckingham Palace, included film of senior members of the Royal Family, including the 101-year-old Queen Mother, Prince William, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The Duke of York was shown at Ground Zero in New York and there was also footage of a Guards' band playing the U.S. national anthem on the palace forecourt in a show of solidarity after the terrorist attacks.

There was no direct reference to the Queen's 2002 Golden Jubilee, marking her 50-year reign, only a mention that this year's Christmas message was her 50th.

Instead the Queen concentrated on the importance of community and faith -- be it Christian or Muslim -- in the aftermath of September 11.

She said: "During the following days we struggled to find ways of expressing our horror at what had happened.

"As so often in our lives at times of tragedy -- just as on occasions of celebration and thanksgiving -- we look to the church to bring us together as a nation or as a community in commemoration and tribute.

"It is to the church that we turn to give meaning to these moments of intense human experience through prayer, symbol and ceremony.

"In these circumstances so many of us, whatever our religion, need our faith more than ever to sustain and guide us.

"Every one of us needs to believe in the value of all that is good and honest; we need to let this belief drive and influence our actions.

"All the major faiths tell us to give support and hope to others in distress."

The Queen referred to services held in London at St Paul's Cathedral and at Westminster Abbey.

She said: "On these occasions and during the countless other acts of worship during the past year, we came together as a community -- of relations, friends and neighbours -- to draw strength in troubled times from those around us.

"I believe that strong and open communities matter both in good times as well as bad. Certainly they provide a way of helping one another.

"I would like to pay tribute to so many of you who work selflessly for others in your neighbourhood needing care and support."

Communities also gave an important sense of belonging, which was a compelling need in everyone, she said.

"We all enjoy moments of great happiness and suffer times of profound sadness; the happiness is heightened, the sadness softened when it is shared.

"But there is more than that. A sense of belonging to a group, which has in common the same desire for a fair and ordered society, helps to overcome differences and misunderstanding by reducing prejudice, ignorance and fear.

"We all have something to learn from one and another, whatever our faith -- be it Christian or Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu or Sikh -- whatever our background, whether we be young or old, from town or countryside.

"May I, in this my 50th Christmas message to you, once again wish every one of you a very happy Christmas."