Queen admits ‘bumpy’ year in Christmas message

Queen Elizabeth II called 2019 “quite bumpy” in a Christmas message at the end of a chaotic year which saw Britain bitterly divided over its split from the European Union and her scandal-plagued son Prince Andrew withdraw from public life. The year was filled with disappointments for the queen -- a seminal figure in British public life who assumed the throne in 1952 and is beloved by much of the nation. The queen will point to the life of Jesus as an example of how reconciliation can be achieved and “how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions” in her speech, which will be broadcast on Christmas Day. The remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to the Brexit debate that has torn Britain apart since it voted to leave the EU in a 2016 referendum.