British Queen Elizabeth II, in her traditional Christmas Day message broadcast on Wednesday, described 2019 as "quite bumpy", but stressed small steps can make a world of difference.

"Small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding," said the Queen, adding "The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference."