Britain's Queen Elizabeth II stands in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace after recording¹ her Christmas Day message to the Commonwealth², on Monday Dec. 22, 2008.

Worries about the global economy and violence across the world have turned the celebration of Christmas into a more sombre affair this year, Queen Elizabeth said on Thursday.

Britain, like many other developed nations, is facing the risk of a prolonged recession. Unemployment is rising fast, household high street firms are collapsing³ and several big banks are only able to stay in business with government help.

There has also been an increase in the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan in recent weeks, just as troops in Iraq prepare to come home next year.

"Christmas is a time for celebration, but this year it is a more sombre occasion for many," the Queen said.

"People are touched by events which have their roots far across the world. Whether it is the global economy or violence in a distant land, the effects can be keenly felt at home."

But, in her annual Christmas broadcast which dates back to 1957 and is watched by millions across Britain and the Commonwealth, the 82-year-old said those with courage would work hard to survive and improve their lot.

"When life seems hard the courageous⁴ do not lie down and accept defeat; instead they are all the more determined⁵ to struggle for a better future," she said, standing⁶ by a piano adorned⁷ with pictures of her family.

This year has been eventful for the royal family, with Prince Harry⁸, third in line to the throne, fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan for 10 weeks, an inquest into the death of Princess Diana and Prince Charles' 60th birthday.

英国女王伊丽莎白于本周四发表圣诞致辞，她在致辞中说，全球经济危机和暴力冲突引发的担忧给今年圣诞节蒙上了一层阴影。

和其它很多发达国家一样，目前英国正面临长期经济衰退的危险。失业率飙升，公司倒闭，几家大银行只能靠政府的援助度日。

就在英国计划明年从伊拉克撤军之时，近几周又传来驻阿富汗英军死亡人数上升的消息。

女王说：“圣诞节本是个欢庆的节日，但今年的圣诞节对于很多人来说并不开心。”

她说：“世界各地发生的事情让人们深感担忧。无论是全球经济衰退还是远在异国的暴力冲突，我们都能深切地感觉到。”

但今年82岁的女王称，勇敢的人会通过自己的努力度过难关，改变境况。英国女王一年一度的圣诞致辞始于1957年，每年会在英国和英联邦国家转播，有数百万人观看。

女王站在摆放有王室成员照片的钢琴边说：“勇敢的人在困境中不会低头认输，相反他们会更坚定地为美好的未来而奋斗。”

今年对于英国王室来说也是个多事之年，期间发生的大事包括英国王位第三继承人哈里王子赴阿富汗前线服役十周，前王妃戴安娜死因调查以及查尔斯王储庆祝60岁生日等。