Queen's speech from the barracks

For 45 years the Queen has delivered her Christmas message from the privacy and comfort of Sandringham, Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace.

But in a major break with tradition, she will this year address Britain and the Commonwealth standing between two armoured vehicles at an Army barracks in Windsor.

Symbolising a clear statement of support for troops in Iraq, the broadcast will explore the theme of teamwork and pay tribute to the professionalism of the armed forces. Filmed at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, the headquarters of the Household Cavalry, it is the first time the address has been shot entirely on location.

Her Majesty is also seen talking to servicemen and women who have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans.

After a hard year for Tony Blair, the Queen's symbolic message backing the work of the military will provide some Christmas comfort-for the Prime Minister. The bad news for the Queen, however, is that a poll reveals that 54 per cent of the nation will not be watching.

A Populus survey shows that 58 per cent of manual workers and pensioners said they would tune in, compared with 38 per cent in the professional middle-class and upper-class brackets.

The survey found the message appeals more to older people and would be received most warmly in the Midlands, where 51 per cent of respondents said they would listen to it. In the South-East, only 37 per cent said they would tune in.

This year, however, there are alternative ways to hear the broadcast, which will be screened in its tradition slot of 3pm on Christmas Day. It will be available over the phone for the first time, enabling troops serving in Iraq to listen in on their mobiles as the Queen thanks them for their work.

The phone line, on 0871 271 3100, is also open to the public, with calls costing 10p a minute more than the normal rate to cover the cost of the facility.