Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth

Britain's Queen Elizabeth expressed her joy at becoming a great-grandmother during her Christmas Day broadcast.

The royal spoke about the future king, five-month-old Prince George, and described how a new born baby brings "happiness and hope".

In her traditional festive message, she addressed the nation and Commonwealth and said: "Here at home my own family is a little larger this Christmas.

"As so many of you will know, the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope. For the new parents, life will never be quite the same again."

Her words were accompanied by footage of her great-grandson being bounced up and down in his arms by his father Prince William, with his wife Catherine by his side at Chapel Royal, St James's Palace during the infant's christening in October.

Earlier in the day about 3,000 well-wishers joined members of the Royal Family who walked from Sandringham House in Norfolk to a service at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Cicely Howard, 75, attended the service and spoke to the Duchess of Cambridge.

She told the Guardian newspaper: "She told me he [Prince George] was having a lovely day but was more interested in the wrapping paper than the presents."

William also told the crowd: "We've had a good morning with George and I can't wait until next year when he's bigger."