Queen Elizabeth's Christmas speech in 3-D

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LONDON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Day message to Britain and the Commonwealth is to be broadcast in 3-D for the first time this year, Buckingham Palace says.

The broadcast has already been taped, and a spokeswoman said the queen thought the 3-D version was "absolutely lovely," The Guardian reported.

The innovation is the latest in a tradition that began 80 years ago with a radio broadcast by the queen's grandfather, King George V. The queen's message was televised for the first time in 1957.

The Christmas Day Message is the only time the queen speaks her own words in public. She writes the speech herself and gives her own views, although she steers clear of politics and controversy.

The palace spokeswoman said the queen's staff decided some technological change would be appropriate for the Jubilee year.

"The queen absolutely agreed straight away. There was no need for convincing at all; she was absolutely ready to embrace something new in this year."

One thing remains the same -- the time. In 1932, King George's advisers selected 3 p.m. Greenwich time as the best time to reach most of the Commonwealth.