The Queen has paid tribute to the sacrifices of British servicemen and women in her Christmas Day speech.

She said: "We have all been conscious of those who have given their lives or have been severely wounded while serving with the armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The monarch also spoke of protecting society's outsiders, saying: "Everyone has a responsibility to care for the vulnerable."

This year's seasonal address marks the 50th anniversary of the Queen's first televised broadcast to the nation.

She looked back at the earler footage and spoke of the changes she has seen while growing older.

But the Queen added: "In my experience the positive value of a happy family is one of the factors of human existence that has not changed."

She earlier braved the rain as she joined the rest of the Royal Family for a Christmas Day church service on her Sandringham Estate.

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