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Queen describes 'year of tragedy'

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 25 December 2005

The Queen highlighted how 2005 was a year of tragedies, both natural and man-mad in a solemnn Christmas message.


>>Watch the Queen's speech in full

She referred to the Asian tsunami, the hurricanes in the Caribbean and New Orleans, the earthquake in Pakistan and India and the London bombings.

In one of her more sombre annual speeches, the Queen reflected on how she sometimes thought "that humanity seemed to have turned on itself - with wars, civil disturbances and acts of brutal terrorism".

She spoke of how the suicide bombings which brought carnage to the London transport network on July 7, leaving 52 dead, had changed people's lives.

"This Christmas my thoughts are especially with those everywhere who are grieving the loss of loved ones during what for so many has been such a terrible year," she said.

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