Britain's Queen calls for unity in her Christmas message

Queen Elizabeth II has called for unity and respect in her annual Christmas message, as Britain remains badly divided over Brexit.

The 92-year-old monarch traditionally pre-records the annual goodwill message from Buckingham Palace earlier in December, to be broadcast on Christmas Day.

This year marks the last message before the country is set to leave the European Union (EU), after 46 years, in March next year, an impending exit that has triggered deep divisions across party lines as negotiations hang in the balance.

"Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding," the Queen says in excerpts from her message released on the Christmas Eve.

In the message recorded in Buckingham Palace's White Drawing Room, the Queen reflects on Jesus Christ's message of peace on earth and goodwill to all.

"I believe his message of peace on Earth and goodwill to all is never out of date. It can be heeded by everyone; it's needed as much as ever," she says in the message recorded on December 12.

The Queen also reflects on some of the highlights of 2018, from England reaching the football World Cup semi-finals to the weddings of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

"Through the many changes I have seen over the years, faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance," says the Queen, dressed in an Angela Kelly ivory silk cocktail dress, with a gold Scarab brooch, with ruby and diamond embellishments. The brooch was a 1966 gift from her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

In her annual Christmas message, British Prime Minister Theresa May focussed on the country's troops serving in war-torn regions like Syria and overseeing domestic security.

She said: "From playing a vital role in cleaning up after a sickening nerve agent attack on the streets of Salisbury, protecting our waters and our skies from Russian intrusion and strengthening our allies in Eastern Europe, striking at terrorism as part of the global coalition against Daesh (ISIS), and along with our US and French allies sending a message to the Assad regime that we will not stand by while chemical weapons are used, as they were in April on families, including young children.

"Time and again, you have stood up to aggression and those who flout the rules based international order. You should be incredibly proud of all that you do just as the whole country is proud of you."