THE Duke of Edinburgh has been asked to take control of the Queen's Christmas message after years of his grumbling about the quality of the television broadcasts.

He is being lined up to supervise the production, direction and final editing of the show under the plans devised by senior palace officials. Broadcasting insiders were told earlier this summer about Prince Philip's proposed role.

He has previously been involved in the scripts but has felt let down by the finished programmes. "At the debriefing meetings each January he always finds something wrong with the BBC's and ITN's efforts," said a palace insider.

The change would give Philip a greater opportunity to preach his own brand of "muscular Christianity" ?? the early 19th-century creed of cold baths and manly sports promoted by Dr Thomas Arnold, headmaster of Rugby school.

"The Queen's approach is more inclusive, personal and endearing," said a palace source. "The duke believes the nation should listen to a stern Christian lecture. He isn't very interested in addressing the beliefs of Hindus, Muslims or Jews." A spokesman for Buckingham Palace declined to comment.

Courtiers fear Philip's new role may backfire. "He doesn't care about the ratings element at all," said a source. The British audience for the address, which is also transmitted in the Commonwealth, has dwindled to a third of its 28m peak in 1987.

Some years ago Philip objected to the inclusion of film clips from the Queen's overseas tours, intended to provide a dramatic backdrop. He reckoned the "travelogues" would arouse envy in viewers stuck in Britain for the winter.

Although the broadcast is the sole occasion when the Queen speaks her mind directly to her subjects, Philip does not regard it as a public relations opportunity. "He thinks they are beyond all that," said the source.

The change would allow Philip to call on the co-operation of the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward and other members of the royal family.

Private polling by the palace shows the public expect Prince William and Prince Harry to make walk-on appearances. There may also be room for Prince Charles to appear on screen and to give advice behind the scenes.

The decision to entrust Philip with a supervisory role is the most significant in a series of measures over the past decade to breathe life into the format, which began in 1932 when George V spoke from Sandringham and is looking increasingly dated.

Last year audiences rose for the first time in a decade, to 9.3m, as the Queen agreed to release a trailer. Now the broadcasters concede that they may have run out of options. "There is only a certain amount of trickery possible for filming an elderly lady giving a speech," said one.

Philip's supporters say he will appoint a television adviser, but continue to work with the broadcasters. "It will be the best of both worlds," said one. Another praised him for his speechwriting skills. "He has a way with a crisp phrase," said a source.

But a broadcaster said the precedents were ominous. He said: "The last time the royal family took direct control of a broadcast they ended up with It's a Royal Knockout."

• Prince Harry has appealed to the Australian media to leave him alone as he considers whether to abandon his gap-year visit. His personal minder, Mark Dyer, said Harry was "in pieces" and "sick and tired" of the media who had entered the remote Queensland cattle station to take pictures. Dyer said Harry had asked: "What is the point of me being here? I can't be a jackeroo, I can't go out to the rodeo, I can't do anything."

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