That the shiny new Official Website of the British Monarchy – launched a few weeks back – includes YouTube videos and Google map links that tie in with the royal diary of engagements shows just how up-to-the minute The Queen is.

In fact, in net technology terms The Queen has always been ahead of her time. Back in 1976, Her Royal Highness was the first monarch to send an e-mail during a visit to an army base. And last year she uploaded a video on to YouTube during a visit to Google’s offices in London.

Now her new website, revamped for the second time since it first went on-line in 1997 is a showcase of many up-to-the-minute web design trends. Created by Hampshire-based consultancy Bang, in collaboration with the Buckingham Palace web team, the site includes a virtual tour of Buckingham Palace, a YouTube video of the Changing of the Guard and numerous picture galleries of the Royals at work. Go see for yourself at www.royal.gov.uk.