LONDON, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Reconciliation was the major theme of Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas message, citing the Scottish referendum and the World War I Christmas truce.
The queen's annual Christmas message, taped earlier this month and broadcast Thursday, promoted reconciliation following the failure of the Scottish independence referendum, which she said left some with "great disappointment" and others with "great relief."
"Bridging these differences will take time," the monarch said.
Queen Elizabeth said she was heartened by evidence of reconciliation between Catholics and Protestants during her visit to a former prison in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June. She spoke of seeing a sculpture by Josefina de Vasconcellos that depicts a man and a woman embracing.
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The sculpture is titled "Reconciliation."
"While my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind," she said. "What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose; a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the couple in the sculpture."
The queen also spoke of the 100th anniversary of the Christmas truce, which involved German and British soldiers laying down their arms and meeting one another on Christmas Day in 1914.
"Sometimes it seems reconciliation stands little chance... but the Christmas truce reminds us peace and goodwill have lasting power," she said.
The monarch, who also serves as the head of the Church of England, said the story of Jesus Christ taught her to "respect and value all people of whatever faith or none."
