The Queen spoke about sports and athletics in her annual Christmas message Saturday, saying they taught all of us valuable lessons about life and building communities.

"It is as important as ever to build communities and create harmony and one of the most powerful ways of doing this is through sport and games," the Queen said in her televised message, broadcast across the United Kingdom and around the world to the Commonwealth nations.

"I've seen for myself just how important sport is in bringing people together from all backgrounds, from all walks of life and from all age groups."

The Queen said that the many sporting events this past year -- from the World Cup in South Africa, the Vancouver Winter Olympics and the Commonwealth Games -- have demonstrated how sports can do far more than improve physical fitness.

She said athletics plays a key role in bringing together people from all backgrounds, ages and walks of life.

"No team can hope to succeed without co-operation between the players," the 84-year-old monarch said, noting that athletes must also respect their opponents. "This sort of positive team spirit can benefit communities, companies and enterprises of all kinds."

In a break with tradition, the Queen decided to tape this year's message in the Royal Chapel at Hampton Court Palace near London, the residence of King Henry VIII, instead of the usual broadcast from Buckingham Palace.

Wearing a matching purple dress and coat topped off with a large brooch and three strands of pearls, the Queen briefly touched on the last year's Christmas message: the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.

"One only has to think of the injured men and women of the armed forces to see how an interest in games and sport can speed recovery and renew a sense of purpose, enjoyment and comradeship," she said.

Her message, which is written by the Queen herself, is a rare chance for the monarch to express personal opinions.

"In the parks of towns and cities, and on village greens up and down the country, countless thousands of people every week give up their time to participate in sport and exercise of all sorts, or simply encourage others to do so," she said.

The Queen's message comes after the British government was widely criticized for plans to cut funding to a school sports program, a decision it was forced to rescind in part after an outcry from athletes and educators.

As she spoke, the television broadcast showed footage of princes William and Harry playing soccer with African orphans in Lesotho, illustrating the Royal Family's long and documented affinity for athletics.

The Queen is an avid horsewoman and many members of her family are keen amateur athletes. Her husband, Prince Philip, his son prince Charles and Charles' sons William and Harry have all played polo.

Granddaughter Zara Phillips is a world champion equestrian, and recently announced her engagement to professional rugby player Mike Tindall. Zara's mother Princess Anne was also on Britain's national equestrian team.

The Royal Family began its Christmas with a traditional morning church service at the Sandringham Estate in eastern England.

The Queen arrived by car at St. Mary Magdalene Church, bundled in a winter coat and large furry hat. Scores of onlookers lined a pathway to watch as other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Harry, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, arrived on foot.

William and his fiancee Kate Middleton were not there because William is duty in Wales with the Royal Air Force. Middleton is believed to be spending Christmas Day with her family.

After the short service, Charles stopped to chat with those who had braved the cold to catch a glimpse of the family. Police estimated that more than 1,000 people had turned out, many wielding cameras and carrying flowers for the Queen and her family.

The Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of York and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie also were in attendance and mingled with onlookers before the group headed back to the estate for lunch and a viewing of the broadcast.

The royals, whose holiday schedule is usually private except for the church service, typically take a Christmas walk through the woods after watching the broadcast.

The message was also on the Royal Family's YouTube channel.

With files from The Associated Press