Queen Elizabeth II Goes YouTube

The Associated Press reports Queen Elizabeth II launched the Royal Channel on YouTube.

Britain's 81-year-old monarch may be considered an icon of traditionalism, but she keeps abreast with new ways of communicating with people:

The palace said, "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 video of the queen's 1957 Christmas TV broadcast reminds us that TV once was as groundbreaking as the Internet is today:

Twenty-five years ago my grandfather broadcast the first of these Christmas messages. Today is another landmark because television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day. My own family often gather round to watch television as they are this moment, and that is how I imagine you now.

I very much hope that this new medium will make my Christmas message more personal and direct.

You will have to follow the link to watch the video. The queen has disabled embedding.