Opening with footage of the Queen handing out presents to her own family, and interlaced with coverage of the Queen, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and Charles, Prince of Wales attending various multicultural meetings, the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visiting a Sikh gurudwara and Charles, Prince of Wales visiting a Muslim school in east London, the theme of the message was cultural and religious diversity and the benefits of tolerance. The message was warmly received by leaders of Britain's Muslim and Sikh communities. In a break from tradition, the Queen also sent a separate radio Christmas message to UK troops, which was broadcast by the British Forces Broadcasting Service.
