Flanked by photos of her nearest and dearest, the Queen uses her annual Christmas message to confront the 'darkness' that hit the world in 2015 and thank 'people who bring happiness'

In the Queen's annual Christmas address she will highlight the 'moments of darkness' the world has confronted but will also speak about the positive Christian message of light triumphing over the dark. She will give thanks to 'the people who bring love and happiness into our own lives', starting with family. The Queen recorded her festive message seated at a desk in Buckingham Palace's 18th Century Room in the Belgian Suite, with a large Christmas tree in the background. Three family photographs are on the desk, including one marking the christening of Princess Charlotte in July, another of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall on their wedding day in April 2005 and a third of the Queen and Prince Philip at the Sandringham Estate.