Queen Elizabeth: Embracing the ageless

SPOTTED: Queen Elizabeth's triple-strand pearl choker during Her Royal Highness's YouTube Christmas-greeting debut.

WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE: The sheer queenly, classic, everlasting glory of it all.

GET IT: Here's a modern take on triple-strand freshwater pearls featuring a sterling pendant etched with "mom" -- $120 from Red Envelope.

Visit the Royal Channel on YouTube here, and view her 1957 holiday address below, her first televised greeting:




Finally, in the holiday spirit, here's some of what Her Majesty said on Christmas, noting the story of Jesus was one of a family that had been "shut out" of 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 civilized and law-abiding community.

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. 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.