Queen Elizabeth II's traditional Christmas speech
will be available as a podcast
this year for the first time. A download can be ordered in advance for
free on the British monarchy's Web site http://www.royal.gov.uk, royal
officials said Friday.
Internet users can also view the speech online and a text version will
be posted on the royal Web site.
In her message, broadcast throughout Britain and the Commonwealth on
Dec. 25, the queen will speak about the importance of the relationship
between the generations, according to excerpts released Friday.
"The wisdom and experience of the great religions point to the need to
nurture and guide the young, and to encourage respect for the elderly,"
the monarch will say.
The broadcast will show the queen, wearing a green outfit, chatting to
schoolchildren as she helps them make a collage of a nativity scene.
"It should twinkle rather
well, shouldn't it ... especially when the lights are on it," the queen
remarks.
The speech itself was filmed at Southwark Cathedral in London.
The 10-minute broadcast is televised on December 25 at 3:00 pm (1500
GMT) in Britain, as many families are recovering from their traditional
turkey lunch.