Queen Elizabeth II praises workers who fight Ebola

LONDON (AP) -- Queen Elizabeth II will use her traditional Christmas broadcast to call for international reconciliation and to praise medical workers fighting Ebola in Africa.

The queen plans to say she has been "deeply touched" by the "selflessness" of doctors and nurses combating the Ebola outbreak.

Each year the queen writes her own Christmas speech, which is pre-recorded and televised in many parts of the world on the afternoon of Christmas Day. She made her first Christmas broadcast on radio in 1952.

The queen plans to celebrate the holiday with her husband Prince Philip and other senior royals at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England.

They attended a church service Christmas morning before enjoying a gala lunch. Prince William and his pregnant wife Kate were present, but their toddler son, Prince George, did not go to church. He was believed to be in the care of his nanny instead.

Prince Charles' wife Camilla also did not attend because of a painful back injury suffered earlier this month, officials said.

Hundreds of well-wishers lined the route to the church to exchange Christmas greetings with the royals.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby cancelled his Christmas sermon because of a severe cold. In a statement he expressed "great regret" about his inability to preach.

Church officials said the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral would instead be delivered by the Dean of Canterbury Robert Willis.

© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.