Queen Elizabeth II celebrated Christmas Day with a traditional church service and a message of hope, stressing in her annual address that light can overcome darkness.
Members of the Royal Family joined the Queen for a service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England, on Friday.
Thousands of well-wishers lined the route to the church to greet the Queen, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, and Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge.
The duke and duchess' young children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, remained at home for the morning.
The Queen's annual Christmas message was also broadcast on Friday, offering an optimistic message after a year that's seen terror attacks and a migrant crisis.
Despite these "moments of darkness," the Queen said in the pre-recorded speech, there is reason for hope.
"The Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services," she said. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
The hashtag quickly started trending on Twitter, with the queen’s remarks garnering attention from thousands of people on social media.
The Queen also shared part of her speech on social media.
The Queen: ‘Christmas is a good time to be thankful … for all that brings light to our lives’
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The Queen: ‘Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another’
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The monarch also gave followers a brief history lesson about the first royal Christmas speech, delivered by King George V in 1932.
The first Christmas Broadcast or was delivered by George V in 1932
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Since then has evolved into an important part of Christmas Day for many people around the world
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A detailed history of royal Christmas speeches is available on the British Monarchy’s .