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More than 100,000 visit Queen's Royal Channel online

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Published Date: 24 December 2007
By Tristan Stewart-Robertson
HUNDREDS of thousands of royal-watchers have tuned in to the Queen's new page on the video-sharing website YouTube in advance of her first Christmas message to be broadcast on the site.
More than 100,000 visited the site and viewed the Queen's first televised Christmas speech, in 1957, within hours of the "The Royal Channel" going live just after midnight yesterday.

New videos are expected to be added regularly to the video-shari
ng website that attracts millions of visitors from around the world.

The Queen, whose speech will also be available on High Definition televisions for the first time tomorrow, is expected to talk about how she believes everyone has a responsibility to care for the vulnerable and those excluded from society. She will also pay tribute to the sacrifices made by the armed forces.

However, the new foray into 21st-century technology might not be enough to rescue declining viewing figures for the 3pm Christmas message.

Yesterday, bookmakers were giving just 5/1 odds in favour of the Queen's speech topping the Christmas TV viewing race.

Last year, the Queen's Speech attracted 8.5 million viewers between the BBC and ITV – fewer than watched the Dr Who Christmas special, and the 9.2 million who watched in 2005. In 1991, ITV aired the speech during a special episode of Coronation Street and attracted 20 million to their TV sets.

The 2007 message on YouTube – which comedian Barry Cryer yesterday quipped should in fact be called One'sTube – will be posted on www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel at 3pm to coincide with the televised address on BBC1.

Many of the 18 videos already online show historic footage dating back to 1917 as well as new contemporary films of the Royal Family. There are also excerpts from Lord Wakehurst's film Long to Reign Over Us which has never been publicly released.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "The Queen always keeps abreast with new ways of communicating with people. The Christmas message was podcast last year. The Royal Channel features the 1957 broadcast where she talks about using a new medium of communication.

"She has always been aware of reaching more people and adapting the communication to suit. This will make the Christmas message more accessible to younger people and those in other countries."

The Queen's grandfather, King George V, delivered the first Royal Christmas broadcast live on the radio from Sandringham in 1932.

In the footage of the first televised Christmas message broadcast in 1957, the Queen remarks live from Sandringham House: "I very much hope that this new medium will make my Christmas message more personal and direct."

• First Minister Alex Salmond released his Christmas message yesterday. He said:

"A fresh wind has blown through Scottish political and cultural life, lifting our spirits and helping our hearts beat prouder and faster. I want to thank all of you who have helped us make the progress we have."

'FRAIL' DUKE GOES BY CAR

THE Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh yesterday attended a pre-Christmas church service at Sandringham, Norfolk.

Scores of wellwishers gathered to see the royal couple arrive and leave St Mary Magdalene church on the Queen's estate.

For the first time in the memory of regular royal-watchers the Duke travelled to the service by car with the Queen.

The Duke, 86, usually walks to the church from Sandringham House, a few hundred yards away.

At least one member of the crowd thought the Duke was looking frail.

"He looked his age," said Lillian Davies, 80, of Cardiff, who was staying with relatives nearby.

"I've been to Sandringham a few times at Christmas and I've always been impressed with how robust the Duke of Edinburgh looked.

"But he didn't look robust today and it was the first time anyone I spoke to could remember him travelling by car."



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  • Last Updated: 23 December 2007 10:33 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: The Monarchy , YouTube
 
1

Boy Wonder,

24/12/2007 00:33:05
I think all the regular poster know that this is one site I shall take great pains to avoid!
2

Bob Brundige,

Springfield, KY USA 24/12/2007 06:13:12
Y'all take the Royals for granted, but to me, it adds fascination and grandeur to the picture I have of the UK. I didn't know the Duke Of Edinburgh was quite that old. God bless them, and y'all every one!
3

donald,

glasgow 24/12/2007 08:40:56
Tubes and Queens
4

Boy Wonder,

24/12/2007 09:55:30
#3. You want them? Have them!

You notice how the world over the British Monarchy is respected?? Fine! Let them pay for them then. And they can go live with those that want them ... just get them out of Britain ... or at least Scotland!
5

,

24/12/2007 10:12:48
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
6

Worried Scot,

24/12/2007 15:23:20
#6 Helen,

"As a Christian" - of what relevance is that might I ask? I'm a Christian too but that is of no relevance to the fact that I support the monarchy and you do not.

"As a Christian" I think religion and politics should be kept as far apart as possible, but as to the monarchy - their role is ceremonial, the tourists love it, why replace it?

I think people don't like the fact that they are born into this priviliged life, which is fine (jealousy's not my think - but hey!) but personally, for all the money, fame and power in the world I wouldn't want their job, so good luck to them I say.

Merry Christmas to all, including the royal family!
7

Thomas Campbell,

New York 24/12/2007 16:50:42
I'm afraid Ms Helen needs to get back to her Bible.The concept of sacral monarchy is deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian scriptural, historical and moral/spiritual tradition. She could-but I bet she won't- read the writings of Scotland's own Sir Ian Moncreiff of that Ilk on the matter, as well as Prof Bradley's (of St Andrew's U) work. The Man most Christians call "Our Lord" came to proclaim the Kingdom (not the republic) of Heaven...which we believe is amongst us and is to come. The modern concept of "democracy" is, to many, deeply flawed...an elected Head of State will be no more so than your excellent annointed, consecrated, and crowned Queen (whom God preserve), and all the sniping and whingeing strikes this American as so much hypocrisy and envy. But then, classic British traits, what?
8

Active Sassenach,

Luton, England 24/12/2007 20:22:48
AM2, #2, #7, shows up clearly as an employee of the Royal Household. The Annus Horribilus to which the Queen referred was not just down to 'youthful lapses'. The whole family is totally disfunctional.

One's Tube is fine. In 1957 TV was fine. I was only 7 then so I forgot that Missus Queen was only on the radio before that. "Numba one piccannini b'long Missus Queen" was only 8.

Feudal Empire no longer exists. Society has changed. We no longer need C of E as the state religion where Bishops sit in the House of Lords and pontificate on Sunday AM about foreign policy with no electoral accountability. Surprisingly Andrew Marr made no challenge to the basis even though the BBC no longer depends on Royal patronage as the speech is also broadcast on other channels.

A diverse multi-ethnic and multi-faith society, where the former PM has suddenly gone all Papist for his own corrupt and self-serving reasons, needs a proper bi-cameral legislature within a secular republic. The Royal Family is entitled to its ceremonial role on One's Tube but it is a constitutional anachronism. Oddly, the 1957 broadcast refers, when the Queen was 31 years of age, to the loss of integrity in the nation. Plus ça change.
9

A Better Way,

Edinburgh, Scotland 25/12/2007 01:59:47
Never mind all the stuff about the monarchy. Follow the link to watch the man himself.http://www.youtube.com/scotexec .Its really a sign of the bias media coverage that this video didnt get put on the STV/BBC pages. Aye the winds of change are moving through Scotland, but the Unionists still appear to be very constipated and are still full of London Manure.
10

TimW1234,

Ottawa, Canada 25/12/2007 11:58:05
The usual anti-royal rant from Boy Wonder BUT he is entitled to his opinion but it is becoming tediously predictable.

One would think he could be more calm and generous at this festive time of the year.

I hope his violent outbursts at the royal family don't cause discord on Christmas day and ruin everyone's feast at his place.
11

Active Sassenach,

Luton, England 25/12/2007 14:47:02
AM2, #13, unlucky for some. Be assured that Holyrood and Buck House have a PR department.

Papist is not pejorative. It could be satirical though. T Bliar - Good Friday agreement. The "not so rev" bigot and fighting Protestant Paisley becomes NI First Minister and T Bliar goes over to the faith of Adams and McGuinness - pint thereof. Ho Ho Ho. Must be Christmas! T Bliar converts to the faith of Warrington (dead 12 year old girl) and Enniskillen (many dead while Cormack Murphy O'Connor fails adequately to condemn). He has not ex-communicated the perpetrators.

Dis-establishing the C of E is not a separate matter. The Queen is Head of State and Head of the State Religion. She and it need abolishing in their present form.







12

Inverie,

Canada & Fife 26/12/2007 19:47:10
Fortunately, the queen has more taste, class and courage than the majority of correspondents on this site. She's been a great role model of dedication to the job at hand and commitment to the promises she made on the day of her coronation. The U.K., Commonwealth and nations over whom she reigns have indeed been blessed by her efforts on their behalf and Charles has demonstrated more visionary talents than any UK politician over the last 25 years.
Ever since Nixon I've been convinced that separating the job of governing and the job of Head of State is a splendid and VERY democratic way of governing a nation. God bless the Queen . . . may she have many more years of brightening Christmas Day with her insights.

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