Queen urges care for 'outsiders'

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Black and white footage from the historic 1957 address, showing the Queen as a youthful, dark-haired 31-year-old monarch, was used at the beginning and end of this year's December 25 speech.

Fifty years on, grey-haired, wearing glasses and captured in colour, the 81-year-old Queen, who now holds the record for being Britain's oldest monarch, used her 2007 message to stress the importance of caring for "outsiders" who find themselves on "the edge of society".

She wore the same three-stringed pearl necklace - her favourite piece of jewellery - that she did for the 1957 speech, in a touching nod to the landmark televised delivery.

The 1957 message was read live from the Long Library at her country retreat Sandringham in Norfolk. The Queen had been on the throne for only five years.

This year The Queen urged people to take care of those cut off from society.

"The Christmas story also draws attention to all those people who are on the edge of society - people who feel cut off and disadvantaged; people who, for one reason or another, are not able to enjoy the full benefits of living in a civilised and law-abiding community," she said.

"For these people, the modern world can seem a distant and hostile place. It is all too easy to turn a blind eye, to pass by on the other side, and leave it to experts and professionals.

"All the great religious teachings of the world press home the message that everyone has a responsibility to care for the vulnerable. Fortunately, there are many groups and individuals, often unsung and unrewarded, who are dedicated to ensuring that the 'outsiders' are given a chance to be recognised and respected.

"However, each one of us can also help by offering a little time, a talent or a possession, and taking a share in the responsibility for the well-being of those who feel excluded."