Queen Elizabeth II honors victims of terror in annual Christmas address

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - In this undated image supplied by Sky News, Queen Elizabeth II sits at a desk in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace, as she records her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth at Buckingham Palace, London.  (Photo by Sky News via Getty Images)

Credit: Handout

Credit: Handout

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - In this undated image supplied by Sky News, Queen Elizabeth II sits at a desk in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace, as she records her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth at Buckingham Palace, London. (Photo by Sky News via Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II gave her traditional annual Christmas address Monday, touching on the fact that many were likely viewing her on their smartphones and computer devices rather than on their television screens as was done 60 years ago.

The video started with a children’s choir singing “God Save the Queen” before the queen appeared to share her message.

She spoke of the extremist attacks that have touched England throughout the past year, including the attacks in Manchester and London.

She hailed the “powerful identities” of many of whom she met and visited with after the attacks.

The queen, her husband Prince Philip and family members attended a church service Monday near Elizabeth's country estate in Sandringham. They mingled with locals who came to watch them arrive.

The royal family had a private lunch scheduled afterward. This is the first Christmas the family will be joined by Prince Harry’s fiancee, American actress Meghan Markle.

Elizabeth and Philip missed last year’s service because they had the flu.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.