queen's speech on christmas day

The history of the Queen’s Christmas speech

• Tuesday 25 December 2018 at 2:46am

The Queen’s Christmas broadcast is a traditional feature of the festive season where the head of state can express her thoughts about the past year.

The monarch made her first Christmas broadcast live on the radio in 1952 – the year of her accession – and the annual message was first shown on TV in 1957.

She has made a Christmas Day speech every year except in 1969, when she decided the royals had been on TV enough after an unprecedented family documentary.

Instead, her greeting took the form of a written address.

The first televised broadcast was transmitted live from the Long Library at Sandringham, and the Queen told how she hoped “this new medium will make my Christmas message more personal and more direct”.

The Queen’s first pre-recorded speech was in 1959.

The monarch – a consummate professional – usually completes her delivery in one take.

But footage from an ITV documentary earlier this year revealed that that her 2017 speech had to be re-recorded after a chirruping bird outside the palace window interrupted the proceedings.

In her 1991 message, the Queen silenced rumours of abdication as she pledged to continue to serve.

She also issued a writ against The Sun newspaper after it published the full text of her 1992 broadcast two days before transmission.

She later accepted an apology and a £200,000 donation to charity.

The Queen’s grandfather, King George V, delivered the first royal Christmas broadcast live on the radio from Sandringham in 1932.

He read a message composed by author Rudyard Kipling.

The original idea was suggested by Sir John Reith, the founding father of the BBC, to inaugurate the Empire Service, now the BBC World Service.

George V was at first unsure about using the relatively untried medium of the wireless, but eventually agreed.

The fixed time of 3pm each year was chosen in 1932 because it was considered the best for reaching most of the countries in the British Empire by short wave.

King George V’s eldest son, who became King Edward VIII, never delivered a Christmas speech, as his reign lasted less than a year, ending in abdication.

King George VI, the Queen’s father and Edward’s brother, made his first broadcast in December 1937 in which he thanked the nation for their support during the first year of his reign.

There was no Christmas broadcast in 1936 or 1938, and it was the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 that firmly established the tradition.

The speech is written by the Queen herself and is one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice and is able to voice her own views.

Each message has a strong religious framework and reflects current issues.

She chooses a theme, drawing sometimes on her own personal experiences and sometimes from global events such as wars, terrorist attacks or natural disasters.

In 2003, the Queen recorded her annual Christmas message entirely on location, away from a royal residence, for the first time.

With a military backdrop of armoured fighting vehicles at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, she paid tribute to British servicemen and women who had fought in the Iraq war.

The Queen sometimes watches her own speech alone on Christmas Day.

The Duke of York revealed the monarch can prefer to leave the room to scrutinise her work as the rest of the royal family gather around the television together at Sandringham on December 25.

Andrew recalled: “I do remember that sometimes the Queen watches it and sometimes sits in another room thinking ‘Has it come across in the right way?'”

He added: “As children we were always encouraged after lunch to behave ourselves and wait for the Queen’s message, because lunch would usually finish within one or 15 minutes of quarter to three, and three o’clock is the time we all sit down and watch it.”

The duke spoke of how other members of the royal family have taken part in the broadcast over the years.

“I think all of us have taken part in it in one form or another over the years,” he said.

During the Falklands War when the duke served as a helicopter pilot, Andrew and his fellow servicemen were the focus of the Queen’s 1982 message.

“The fact that the Queen, their Commander in Chief, had a concern and was thinking about what they’re doing, and as it were, was with them for those few minutes, gives you a tremendous buzz and a feel that ‘Oh we’ve been mentioned, we’ve been thought about’,” he told ITV.

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The Queen’s 2020 Christmas Speech in full, as monarch says ‘we need life to go on’ after crisis

The Queen has spent much of the pandemic apart from her family, secluded with Prince Phillip at Windsor Castle.

The Queen has said that life must “go on” and acknowledged national “sadness” in her annual Christmas address.

The head of state’s annual message was aired on Christmas Day, marking some of her first public reflections on the coronavirus crisis since a rare national address near the start of the pandemic in April.

In her Christmas Day speech, the monarch reflected that “a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer”, sending sympathies to those mourning loved ones.

She acknowledged that for many, “all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand”.

Quiet Christmas

With coronavirus restrictions sweeping across much of the country, the Royal Family’s Christmas traditions have largely been thrown out the window this year, with no trip to Sandringham or public church visit on the agenda.

Instead, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh opted to “spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.”

The Queen’s Christmas message in full:

Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood – light brings hope.

For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world’, but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way. People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on.

Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity – despite social distancing.

Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need.

In the United Kingdom and around the world, people have risen magnificently to the challenges of the year, and I am so proud and moved by this quiet, indomitable spirit. To our young people in particular I say thank you for the part you have played.

This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world.

Today, our frontline services still shine that lamp for us – supported by the amazing achievements of modern science – and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that – even on the darkest nights – there is hope in the new dawn.

Jesus touched on this with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The man who is robbed and left at the roadside is saved by someone who did not share his religion or culture. This wonderful story of kindness is still as relevant today.

Good Samaritans have emerged across society showing care and respect for all, regardless of gender, race or background, reminding us that each one of us is special and equal in the eyes of God.

The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship.

In November, we commemorated another hero – though nobody knows his name. The Tomb of the Unknown Warrior isn’t a large memorial, but everyone entering Westminster Abbey has to walk around his resting place, honouring this unnamed combatant of the First World War – a symbol of selfless duty and ultimate sacrifice.

The Unknown Warrior was not exceptional. That’s the point. He represents millions like him who throughout our history have put the lives of others above their own, and will be doing so today. For me, this is a source of enduring hope in difficult and unpredictable times.

Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand.

If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers.

The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas – the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope – guide us in the times ahead.

It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas.

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Queen Elizabeth offered a particularly personal message on Saturday for her annual Christmas Day address, her first since the death of her husband, Prince Philip.

The address led with footage of Elizabeth and Philip through the decades and a voiceover snippet from the Queen's speech on their golden wedding anniversary in 1997. In it, she called her husband, who died in April at the age of 99, her "strength and stay."

"Although it's a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand why," the Queen said in the pre-recorded Christmas address from the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

"But for me, in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work from around the country, the Commonwealth and the world."

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A framed photograph of the couple arm in arm sat in the foreground. In both the photo and her Christmas address, she was wearing the same sapphire chrysanthemum brooch.

The Queen remembered Philip for "his sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation."

She said his legacy included the Duke of Edinburgh's Award — which aims to foster young people's personal growth — and his work related to the environment.

WATCH | Queen's Christmas message strikes a sombre tone: 

Christmas comes amid COVID surge

The televised Christmas Day message is a tradition in Britain, a moment when the monarch reflects on the holiday's meaning and the challenges facing the country.

Last year, the Queen used the opportunity to convey a message of hope during the depths of the coronavirus pandemic and to praise the "indomitable spirit" of scientists, emergency workers and others who had risen to the challenges created by COVID-19.

This year, the Queen again addressed the continuing pandemic, which has seen England endure multiple lockdowns. Coronavirus restrictions in place at the time of Philip's funeral meant that Elizabeth sat alone at the ceremony in St. George's Chapel.

Cases have surged again in the lead-up to Christmas, with the U.K. reporting a new daily high of 122,186 cases on Friday. It was its third day of cases topping 100,000.

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"While COVID again means we can't celebrate quite as we may have wished, we can still enjoy the many happy traditions" of the holiday, the Queen said, naming the singing of carols, decorating the tree, exchanging presents or watching a favourite film.

She said it is "no surprise that families so often treasure their Christmas routines."

"We see our own children and their families embrace the roles, traditions and values that mean so much to us, as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times."

At 95, Elizabeth is the world's oldest and longest-reigning monarch. Her health came under the spotlight this year after she missed a number of high-profile engagements, including the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, after being advised to rest and a brief hospital stay.

In her Christmas address, the Queen looked ahead to next year's Commonwealth Games and her Platinum Jubilee. The latter marks Elizabeth's seven decades on the throne.

She said she hoped it would be "an opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a sense of togetherness, a chance to give thanks for the enormous changes of the last 70 years, social, scientific and cultural, and also to look ahead with confidence."

With files from The Associated Press

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Queen’s Christmas speech – full text

Queen reflects on 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the first world war and pays tribute to medics battling Ebola disease

In the ruins of the old Coventry aathedral is a sculpture of a man and a woman reaching out to embrace each other. The sculptor was inspired by the story of a woman who crossed Europe on foot after the war to find her husband.

Casts of the same sculpture can be found in Belfast and Berlin, and it is simply called Reconciliation.

Reconciliation is the peaceful end to conflict, and we were reminded of this in August when countries on both sides of the first world war came together to remember in peace.

The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction to seeing them and walking among them was silence. For every poppy a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.

No one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.

In 1914, many people thought the war would be over by Christmas, but sadly by then the trenches were dug and the future shape of the war in Europe was set.

But, as we know, something remarkable did happen that Christmas, exactly a hundred years ago today.

Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met in no man’s land. Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged. It was a Christmas truce.

Truces are not a new idea. In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold.

Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as we saw this year in Glasgow when over 70 countries took part in the Commonwealth Games.

It is no accident that they are known as the Friendly Games. As well as promoting dialogue between nations, the Commonwealth Games pioneered the inclusion of para-sports within each day’s events.

As with the Invictus Games that followed, the courage, determination and talent of the athletes captured our imagination as well as breaking down divisions.

The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June. While my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind.

What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose; a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the couple in the sculpture.

Of course, reconciliation takes different forms. In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief; and bridging these differences will take time.

Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk.

For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the prince of peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.

A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.

Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord. But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power in the hearts of men and women.

On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914 many of the German forces sang Silent Night, its haunting melody inching across the line.

That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.

A very happy Christmas to you all.

• Queen Elizabeth II

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Britain gets glimpse of queen in Christmas message

LONDON — A combination of health issues and coronavirus restrictions has kept Queen Elizabeth II from public engagements since October, but the 95-year-old monarch made a brief appearance in British homes on Saturday afternoon, speaking about her own grief in a particularly personal Christmas Day message.

The annual address was recorded in advance last week in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, where the queen is staying through Christmas.

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Because of a spike in coronavirus infections, Elizabeth didn’t host family members at her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, for the second year. Confirmed cases hit record highs in Britain this past week.

In her speech, Elizabeth paid tribute to her late husband, Prince Philip, who died in April at age 99.

There was “one familiar laugh missing this year,” she said of Philip, whose “mischievous inquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.”

“Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones,” she said. “This year, especially, I understand why.”

While delivering her remarks, the queen sat at a desk alongside a framed photograph of herself with Philip, taken in 2007 to mark their 60th wedding anniversary. Royal watchers noted that pinned to the queen’s bright red Christmas dress was a sapphire brooch she wore on her honeymoon.

She said she empathized with others who had lost loved ones and acknowledged the ongoing impact of the pandemic. As usual, she commented on some of the news from the royal family over the past year, including the births of four great grandchildren.

The queen also said she was “proud beyond words” that eldest son Prince Charles, and her grandson Prince William, were following in her late husband’s footsteps in “taking seriously our stewardship of the environment” and in particular noted their participation at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

Unsurprisingly, she skipped over the controversies that hit the family in 2021, including Prince Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview and the allegations that Prince Andrew engaged in sexual abuse, which he denies.

Shortly after the speech was broadcast, British police said that a 19-year-old man from Southampton had been arrested on the grounds of Windsor Castle earlier on Christmas Day. The intruder was in possession of an “offensive weapon” and did not enter any buildings, the Thames Valley Police said.

The intrusion had no impact on the queen’s broadcast.

Every Christmas, millions in Britain and in 54 Commonwealth nations tune in to hear the monarch deliver her Christmas message. The queen’s speech is a fixture of Christmas Day, as familiar as mince pies, Yorkshire puddings and silly Christmas jumpers.

Elizabeth — who would celebrate 70 years on the throne next year — has delivered a Christmas address every year of her reign except in 1969, when she apparently decided that the public had had enough of the royals following the BBC broadcast of a two-hour documentary.

The speech is one of the few she writes without government advice. As she is also head of the Church of England, there’s often a religious thread. She also typically reflects on current events. In recent years, in her own uncontroversial way, she has touched on everything from the pandemic to a fatal fire at a London apartment complex to the “bumpy” year of 2019, which was dominated by Brexit turbulence.

In her 2017 Christmas message , the queen spoke of looking forward to welcoming “new members” to the royal family, which many took as a reference to Harry and Meghan’s then-upcoming wedding, as well as to Prince Louis, who would be born in April.

In an era of fragmented media, huddling around the telly to watch a nonagenarian monarch deliver a five-minute speech is still surprisingly popular. Last year, it topped the TV ratings on Christmas Day.

Perhaps that’s because people like the continuity.

Writing in the Financial Times, columnist Henry Mance said: “What exactly is the Queen’s message? How does it differ from the previous year’s? Who cares? What it lacks in scripting and acting, the address makes up for in familiarity.”

The queen was hospitalized overnight in October for what Buckingham Palace said were “preliminary investigations.” Afterward, the palace reported, doctors advised her to rest and undertake only “light duties.” Since then, she has missed some high-profile events because of health issues, including a Remembrance Sunday service to honor the country’s war dead, a staple on the royal calendar. The palace said she sprained her back in November.

She has continued to meet with ambassadors and dignitaries, but those meetings have taken place by video or inside palace walls.

It was not her health but coronavirus concerns that were mentioned when the queen canceled her customary pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, as well as her trip to Sandringham, where the royals usually assemble for Christmas.

British media reported that William was spending the holiday in Norfolk with his wife, children and in-laws.

The queen, meanwhile, was joined at Windsor by Prince Charles, his wife, Camilla, and a handful of others.

In other words, the queen had her Christmas plans upended, like so many other Britons.

But for many of her subjects, at least for a few minutes in a televised broadcast on Christmas Day, the queen was also offering a sense of stability in unstable times.

“While covid again means we can’t celebrate quite as we may have wished,” the queen said, “we can still enjoy the many happy traditions.”

This report has been updated.

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Queen Elizabeth Delivers Annual Christmas Speech amid COVID-19 Crisis: 'We Need Life to Go On'

Watching the Queen's speech on Christmas Day is a holiday tradition shared in many homes around the world

Queen Elizabeth honored one of her most steadfast traditions on Friday with her annual “Queen’s Speech” on Christmas. This year's address focused on the difficulties of the past several months amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

"Every year we herald the coming of Christmas by turning on the lights. And light does more than create a festive mood —light brings hope," she began. "For Christians, Jesus is ‘the light of the world,’ but we can’t celebrate his birth today in quite the usual way.

"People of all faiths have been unable to gather as they would wish for their festivals, such as Passover, Easter, Eid, and Vaisakhi. But we need life to go on. Last month, fireworks lit up the sky around Windsor, as Hindus, Sikhs and Jains celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, providing joyous moments of hope and unity — despite social distancing."

Unlike in years past, the Queen, 94, didn't mention any personal details of the past year, such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 's exit from royal life or the wedding of her granddaughter Princess Beatrice . Instead, she made a call for hope and unity in the face of extreme difficulty.

"Remarkably, a year that has necessarily kept people apart has, in many ways, brought us closer. Across the Commonwealth, my family and I have been inspired by stories of people volunteering in their communities, helping those in need," she continued.

"This year, we celebrated International Nurses’ Day, on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale. As with other nursing pioneers like Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale shone a lamp of hope across the world," she said. "Today, our front-line services still shine that lamp for us - supported by the amazing achievements of modern science - and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that - even on the darkest nights - there is hope in the new dawn."

She also drew heavily on the strength she derives from her deep faith, which has helped her navigate the difficulties of life during the global pandemic. Those who know her say she misses the community feel of going to church with friends and family.

"The teachings of Christ have served as my inner light, as has the sense of purpose we can find in coming together to worship," she said.

"Of course, for many, this time of year will be tinged with sadness: some mourning the loss of those dear to them, and others missing friends and family- members distanced for safety, when all they’d really want for Christmas is a simple hug or a squeeze of the hand. If you are among them, you are not alone, and let me assure you of my thoughts and prayers," she continued.

In conclusion, she said, "The Bible tells how a star appeared in the sky, its light guiding the shepherds and wise men to the scene of Jesus’s birth. Let the light of Christmas — the spirit of selflessness, love and above all hope — guide us in the times ahead. It is in that spirit that I wish you a very happy Christmas."

The Queen's speech was filmed in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle — the same room where her great-grandson Archie 's royal christening photos were taken and where Harry and Meghan's official royal wedding photos were also taken. Medical advice was followed and the only people allowed in the room were two cameramen and one other member of the crew. Distance protocols were followed and suitable PPE worn.

Wearing a deep purple dress by her go-to dresser, Angela Kelly , she accessorized the look with The Queen Mother's Shell Brooch, which features a shell motif in diamonds studded with a single round pearl. Queen Elizabeth 's mother wore the brooch throughout her lifetime, and the Queen has worn the brooch several times.

The Queen typically has a variety of personal family photos displayed on her desk during her speech, but this year she only had one: a photograph of her husband, Prince Philip , from her private collection.

Watching the Queen’s speech on Christmas Day is a holiday tradition shared in many homes around the world and one that has stood the test of time. Queen Elizabeth ‘s father King George VI started the Christmas address tradition in 1932 over the radio. She delivered her first Christmas address via radio in 1952 and via television in 1957 at age 26, just months after the death of her before and before her coronation.

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The Queen is breaking with tradition this year as she rings in Christmas at Windsor Castle instead of at Sandringham House in Norfolk. After careful consideration, the monarch and her husband, Prince Philip , 99, made the decision to celebrate the holiday season at Windsor Castle, where they have spent much of the year isolating amid the pandemic.

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The history behind the Queen’s speech on Christmas Day

On Christmas Day , Brits and royalists around the world will sit down to watch Queen Elizabeth’s 67th Christmas message, which will be broadcast at 3pm on television, radio and the Royal Family 's official social media accounts on YouTube and Facebook.

But how did the tradition begin and how has it evolved over the decades? Ahead of this year's broadcast, here’s everything you need to know about the Queen's speech.

When did it start?

The Queen’s Christmas speech was actually started by her grandfather, King George V, when he delivered the first address over the radio during his reign in 1932. Known then as the King’s Christmas Message, George V’s first message was written by English writer Rudyard Kipling and transmitted live from a studio that was created for him at Sandringham estate.

King George V continued to give his yearly message until his death, with his last Christmas speech taking place in 1935. There was no Christmas speech in 1936, but in 1937, King George VI (Queen Elizabeth’s father) gave his first Christmas address, taking a brief pause the following year and resuming the message in 1939. George VI would establish the Christmas message as an annual tradition, speaking live on the radio every December 25 until his final broadcast in 1951, which was pre-recorded due to ill health.

Queen Elizabeth has since carried on the tradition, giving her first speech in 1952, ahead of her Coronation Day the following summer. In 1957, the Queen gave the first televised Christmas speech.

She has missed just one address in 1969, when following the investiture of her son, Prince Charles as Prince of Wales and the negative reception of a documentary about the Royal Family, the Queen sought to minimize public attention and opted for a written message instead.

What is the Queen's speech?

The speech was originally established as a way for the reigning monarch to reflect on the year’s events and recall the Royal Family's own milestones. Its purpose has remained largely the same, with the Queen’s Christmas speeches chronicling historical moments from global, national and personal perspectives, creating a sense of community in the process.

King George V’s first broadcast reportedly reached 20 million listeners, and despite more competition today, the Queen’s Christmas speech is still viewed by millions who consider it to be an important part of their Christmas Day celebrations - last year, 6.3 million people tuned in to watch the Queen's Christmas message.

Planning for the broadcasts begins well in advance, as footage filmed from public and private events is included. It is also an occasion for the Queen to speak without government advice, sharing her own views instead.

What will the Queen discuss in her speech this year?

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With her speeches spanning decades, Queen Elizabeth has covered everything in the past, from celebratory occasions like the birth of her son Prince Andrew in 1960 to tackling more sombre moments, like Princess Diana’s passing in her 1997 address.

This year, it is thought the Queen will mention the birth of Prince Harry and Meghan’s son Archie, in addition to remarking on Brexit and the December 12 General Election .

The Queen’s most memorable speeches

When Queen Elizabeth gave her very first Christmas speech in 1952, though it was radio broadcast, she delivered her message from the same desk and chair her father and grandfather had used.

In her speech, she spoke of tradition, noting, “Each Christmas, at this time, my beloved Father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world ... As he used to do, I am speaking to you from my own home, where I am spending Christmas with my family ... My Father [King George VI], and my Grandfather [King George V] before him, worked hard all their lives to unite our peoples ever more closely, and to maintain its ideals which were so near to their hearts. I shall strive to carry on their work.”

In 1957, the Queen gave the first televised speech, in an effort to make her “Christmas message more personal and direct.”

On civil rights and women's rights

In the 1960s, the Queen pushed for equality. Speaking in solidarity with women in 1966, she said, “This year I should like to speak especially to women. In the modern world the opportunities for women to give something of value to the human family are greater than ever, because, through their own efforts, they are now beginning to play their full part in public life.”

And following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, the Queen opened her speech stating , “The essential message of Christmas is still that we all belong to the great brotherhood of man. This idea is not limited to the Christian faith. Philosophers and prophets have concluded that peace is better than war, love is better than hate and that mankind can only find progress in friendship and cooperation. Many ideas are being questioned today, but these great truths will continue to shine out as the light of hope in the darkness of intolerance and inhumanity.”

The speech after her 1992 'annus horribilis'

In her 1992 speech , the Queen addressed personal hardships that included a fire at Windsor Castle, the separations of Prince Charles and Princess Diana as well as Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, and her daughter Princess Anne’s divorce from Mark Phillips

“Like many other families, we have lived through some difficult days this year,” she stated. “The prayers, understanding, and sympathy given to us by so many of you, in good times and bad, have lent us great support and encouragement. It has touched me deeply that much of this has come from those of you who have troubles of your own.”

Adding to her difficulties that year, the Queen’s 1992 speech had been leaked by a British tabloid just two days before her Christmas Day address.

Addressing the passing of Princess Diana

In 1997, the Queen spoke of the joys and sadness in life, citing two events from the past year as her examples: Princess Diana’s tragic death in late August and the celebration of her and Prince Philip’s 50th wedding anniversary in November.

“We all felt the shock and sorrow of Diana’s death,” she said in her speech . Thousands upon thousands of you expressed your grief, most poignantly, in the wonderful flowers and messages left in tribute to her. That was a great comfort for all those close to her.”

The Queen goes 3D

2012 marked another advancement in technology for the Queen’s speech, as it was broadcast for the first time in 3D.

Reflecting on four generations

And Queen Elizabeth’s 2013 speech centered on reflection, as she recalled the 60th anniversary of her coronation. Most notably, the Queen delivered her speech with several photos displayed on her desk - one from Prince George’s christening. The broadcast included footage from the christening, as the Queen noted, “It was a happy occasion, bringing together four generations.”

Revisiting the Queen’s most memorable Christmas Day speeches, as King Charles III prepares for his first

By Natasha Leake

The Queen gave her first Christmas message 10 months after she became sovereign, but before she was officially crowned. Sitting at the same desk as her father King George VI the previous year, she ended her Christmas message with a request for prayer. It was broadcast live on the radio from her study at Sandringham. She paid tribute to her ‘beloved’ late father and reflected on her accession to the throne. ‘You will be keeping it as a holiday; but I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me on that day,’ she said. ‘To pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve him and you, all the days of my life.’

The first year the Queen’s speech was televised was in 1957, the year a young Queen Elizabeth II brought the monarchy into the modern era. For the first time, people could see inside her home and see the face of their Queen as she addressed the nation, which she described as ‘just another example of the speed at which things are changing all around us.’ Her 1957 speech was also the 25th anniversary of the first one of its kind, delivered by her father live on the radio in 1932. She said she hoped that by people being able to see as well as hear her, it would make her message ‘more personal and direct’. ‘It is inevitable that I should seem a rather remote figure for many of you,’ she said. ‘But now at least for a few minutes I welcome you to the peace of my own home.’

The only year of the Queen's reign that she did not record a Christmas message was 1969. That year a special documentary called Royal Family had been released to mark the investiture of the then Prince Charles as Prince of Wales and the Queen decided that The Firm had received enough media coverage already. She wrote a letter instead, which remarked upon the end of the decade that saw the first man set foot on the moon as well as tragedies such as the Aberfan disaster.

In 1972, the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated 25 years of marriage. That year there was also terrible violence in Northern Ireland, and preparations for Britain to join the European Economic Community. The Queen referred to both these news stories in her speech. ‘One of the great Christian ideals is a happy and lasting marriage between man and wife, but no marriage can hope to succeed without a deliberate effort to be tolerant and understanding’, she said. ‘This doesn’t come easily to individuals and it certainly doesn’t come naturally to communities or nations.’ She continued, ‘We are trying to create a wider family of nations and it is particularly at Christmas that this family should feel closest together.’

The Queen's Christmas Message in 1978 took on the theme of the future. As one of the longest broadcasts ever given by the Queen, running for a total of 20 minutes 29 seconds, it included footage of the monarch with her new grandson, Peter Phillips, and Princess Anne, as well as recordings of earlier broadcasts going back to King George V. She said: ‘The context of the lives of the next generation is being set, here and now, not so much by the legacy of science or wealth or political structure that we shall leave behind us, but by the example of our attitudes and behaviour to one another and by trying to show unselfish, loving and creative concern for those less fortunate than ourselves.’ She went on to reflect that ‘Christians have the compelling example of the life and teaching of Christ and, for myself, I would like nothing more than that my grandchildren should hold dear his ideals which have helped and inspired so many previous generations.’

Another memorable moment came when, in 1992, the Queen sued The Sun for publishing her Christmas message two days early. She was awarded £200,000 in damages which she donated to charity. It was a turbulent year for the royal family after three of her children went through divorce and much of Windsor Castle was destroyed by a fire. She said: ‘Like many other families, we have lived through some difficult days this year. The prayers, understanding, and sympathy given to us by so many of you, in good times and bad, have lent us great support and encouragement. It has touched me deeply that much of this has come from those of you who have troubles of your own.’

In 2006 the Queen's Christmas message became available to download as a podcast for the first time. It was also recorded outside of the royal residences at Southwark Cathedral in London where Her Majesty had met with schoolchildren working on the Nativity. She said she was impressed by their ‘energy, vitality and ambition to learn and to travel’. Reflecting on how the old and the young could learn from one another, she said: ‘I am reminded of a lady of about my age who was asked by an earnest, little granddaughter the other day, “Granny, can you remember the Stone Age?” Whilst that may be going a bit far the older generation are able to give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience which can be invaluable.’

The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast of 2007 focused on supporting the disadvantaged as well as family members at Christmas. She stated: ‘One of the features of growing old is a heightened awareness of change. To remember what happened 50 years ago means that it is possible to appreciate what has changed in the meantime. It also makes you aware of what has remained constant. In my experience, the positive value of a happy family is one of the factors of human existence that has not changed. The immediate family of grandparents, parents and children, together with their extended family, is still the core of a thriving community.’

By Harriet Johnston

By Isaac Bickerstaff

In 2010, the Queen spoke about the King James Bible, hinged around the fact that King James inherited the throne around 400 years ago. She said, ‘People are capable of belonging to many communities, including a religious faith. King James may not have anticipated quite how important sport and games were to become in promoting harmony and common interests. But from the scriptures in the bible which bears his name, we know that nothing is more satisfying than the feeling of belonging to a group who are dedicated to helping each other: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.’

2012 was a year of celebration, it was the year the UK hosted the Olympic Games and the year the nation celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The monarch reflected: ‘This past year has been one of great celebration for many, the enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was of course especially memorable for me and my family,’ she said. ‘It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago.’ She added: ‘That same spirit was also in evidence from the moment the Olympic flame arrived on these shores.’

2016 was a year of much political turbulence. Though the Queen made no mention of Brexit, she suggested in her speech that year that Britain needed to ‘take a deep breath’ to face the ‘world’s big problems’ after a tumultuous political year. In the address, she added: ‘Even with the inspiration of others, it’s understandable that we sometimes think the world’s problems are so big that we can do little to help… Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.’

In 2018, the Queen’s message went out at a time when the world faced much uncertainty, especially considering major changes such as Brexit. She urged viewers to overcome their differences and to understand one another, saying: ‘Through the many changes I have seen over the years – faith, family and friendship have been not only a constant for me but a source of personal comfort and reassurance. Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human-being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.’

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The Queen’s Speech: How Her Annual Christmas Broadcast Has Changed Over the Years

By Elise Taylor

Every December 25, millions of people across the United Kingdom gather around their televisions to watch the Queen’s Christmas Broadcast (formally known as “Her Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech”). She speaks from her living room in Buckingham Palace, or sometimes Windsor Castle, for only a few minutes. But in those few minutes, she talks about herself, her family, and the Commonwealth. She may read a bible verse or a poem. And she ties it all together with a theme—reconciliation, service, inspiration—that reflects on the previous year and enlightens the next one.

This Christmas marks the Queen’s 67th speech. Speaking from the Green Room at Windsor Castle, she commemorated the 75th anniversary of D-Day, and also the necessity of overcoming divisions. "The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference," she said . Many interpreted these comments to address United Kingdom's current Brexit turmoil, as well as turmoil within the royal family. This year, the Duke of York stepped down from royal duties due to his ties with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex publicly revealed they were struggling under the intense media spotlight, and Prince Philip was hospitalized before Christmas.

A lot has changed since the Queen’s first message from Sandringham to her one broadcast today. Below, some of the most significant speeches during her six-decade reign.

1952 was Queen Elizabeth’s first Christmas as Queen. It was also her first Christmas without her father. She made her first speech over the radio, sitting in his same chair and desk. (At that time, the speech was done at Sandringham. It would later switch to Buckingham Palace.)

“Each Christmas, at this time, my beloved father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world. Today I am doing this to you, who are now my people,” she began . ”My father, and my grandfather before him, worked all their lives to unite our peoples ever more closely, and to maintain its ideals which were so near to their hearts. I shall strive to carry on their work.”

She ended with a request for prayer—not for the country, but for herself, on her Coronation Day that June. “You will be keeping it as a holiday; but I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me on that day—to pray that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve him and you, all the days of my life.”

Up until 1957, the Queen’s speech was audio only, both on radio and television. But thanks to some prodding by the BBC, and perhaps outspoken monarchy reformist Lord Altrincham , 1957 became the first year she televised her address. Richard Webber, head of outside broadcast at the time, wrote for The Guardian : “We asked the Palace if the Queen would consider reading the message live on television. She was a young monarch keen to enter into the spirit of the new era, and approved of the idea.”

That Christmas, at 3:00 p.m., people could see the Queen, her mannerisms, and inside her home. It’s often cited as one of the most important ways Queen Elizabeth has modernized the monarchy. But using a new medium presented unique challenges. “During her broadcast she refers to lines from John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress , and picks up a book from her desk. The lines were printed on a sheet of paper inserted inside the book,” Webber recalled. “However, in the run-through, the Queen quickly spotted that it wasn’t the right book and asked whether there was a copy in the library. Sure enough, there was. I’m sure viewers wouldn’t have noticed but full marks to the Queen for thinking about it.”

A new decade brought a new viewership record: More than 28 million people tuned into the Queen’s Christmas broadcast in 1980, which honored the Queen Mother’s 80th birthday.

After the divorces of three out of her four children and a terrible fire that destroyed much of Windsor Castle, the Queen called 1992 her “annus horribilis.” She spoke of her troubles in her annual Christmas message: “Like many other families, we have lived through some difficult days this year. The prayers, understanding, and sympathy given to us by so many of you, in good times and bad, have lent us great support and encouragement. It has touched me deeply that much of this has come from those of you who have troubles of your own.” Except, that year, most people already knew what she was going to say—British tabloid The Sun leaked her message two days early. The Queen sued, and was awarded 200,000 pounds in damages (which she promptly donated to charity).

1997 was the year Princess Diana died, a tragic event that the Queen was accused of mishandling (many thought she should have returned to London as soon as the news broke, rather than staying at Balmoral). Her emotional 1997 speech was meant to dispel that perception. “We all felt the shock and sorrow of Diana’s death. Thousands upon thousands of you expressed your grief most poignantly in the wonderful flowers and messages left in tribute to her,” she said, as the screen flashed pictures of flower tributes left in front of Buckingham and Kensington Palace. “That was a great comfort to all those close to her.” At 9 minutes and 50 seconds, it was the longest Christmas message ever by a British monarch.

It was also the first one to be posted on the Internet.

2016’s Christmas message focused on British Olympians and the small acts of greatness regular Brits do every day. But the real milestone of this speech wasn’t the text itself, but the technology: It was the first speech to be broadcast in 3-D.

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The Queen's 10 most memorable Christmas messages - From 1952 to 'annus horribilis'

After confirmation of her death at the age of 96, Sky News looks back at 10 of the Queen's most memorable festive speeches from her seven decades on the throne.

Friday 9 September 2022 09:22, UK

The Queen made a speech on Christmas Day every year of her long reign apart from one, when she wrote a letter to reflect on the previous 12 months instead.

The tradition, which began as the King's Christmas Message in 1932, has since been broadcast in 3D and as a podcast.

Here Sky News looks back at the 10 most notable Christmas messages of the Queen's reign.

The Queen gave her first Christmas message 10 months after she became sovereign, but before she was officially crowned.

It was broadcast live on the radio from her study at Sandringham.

She paid tribute to her "beloved" late father and reflected on her accession to the throne.

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Her Majesty described belonging to the "far larger family" of the Commonwealth and the British Empire and thanked her new subjects for their "loyalty and affection" during the first few months of her new role.

Asking them to pray for her ahead of her June coronation, she wrote: "You will be keeping it as a holiday, but I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me that day."

Five years after her first Christmas message, it was televised for the first time.

Her 1957 speech was also the 25th anniversary of the first one of its kind, delivered by her father live on the radio in 1932.

She said she hoped that by people being able to see as well as hear her, it would make her message "more personal and direct".

"It is inevitable that I should seem a rather remote figure for many of you," she said.

"But now at least for a few minutes I welcome you to the peace of my own home."

The Queen reflected on the changes in technology and warned that "ageless ideals" should not be thrown aside amid the innovations.

She congratulated Ghana and Malaysia on becoming independent and read an extract from the poem Pilgrim's Progress.

As technology continued to evolve, 1967 was the first Christmas message to be broadcast in colour.

From 1960 onwards it was no longer delivered live and was instead pre-recorded in the days before Christmas.

The Queen reflected on Canada's 100-year anniversary of its Confederation that year and her and Prince Philip's five-week tour of the country to mark the occasion.

In 1967 she also knighted Sir Francis Chichester after he became the first man to sail solo around the world in his boat the Gipsy Moth IV.

In a nod to the changing times, she said: "No matter what scientific progress we make, the message will count for nothing unless we can achieve real peace and encourage genuine goodwill between people and the nations of the world."

That year, the message came from Buckingham Palace for the first time.

The only year of the Queen's reign that she did not record a Christmas message was 1969.

That year a special documentary called Royal Family had been released to mark the investiture of Charles as the Prince of Wales and the Queen decided that the Firm had received enough media coverage already.

She wrote a letter instead, which remarked upon the end of the decade that saw the first man set foot on the moon as well as tragedies around the world, such as the Aberfan disaster.

In a speech at the Guildhall earlier in the year, the Queen had described 1992 as an "annus horribilis".

It saw a fire destroy part of Windsor Castle and the divorces of three of her children, as well as the ongoing scandals surrounding Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

In her Christmas message she described it as a "sombre year", but said she hoped to "put it behind us" come 1993.

The speech itself was leaked and published by The Sun in the days before Christmas, which led to them having to pay £200,000 in damages for breach of copyright.

Newspaper bosses settled out of court and the money went to charity.

Five years after Windsor Castle was damaged by a fire, restoration work was finally complete, allowing the Queen to record her Christmas message in the White Drawing Room there that year.

Her festive speech was dominated by the death of Princess Diana in August, which she described as "unbearably sad".

But there had also been the "happier event" of hers and the Duke of Edinburgh's golden wedding.

"This interweaving of joy and woe has been very much brought home to me and my family during the last months," she said.

Following Diana's death, she said her thoughts were with those who were "alone, bereaved or suffering".

She also noted the 50-year anniversary of India and Pakistan's independence.

It was the first year the Christmas message was available on the internet.

As the new millennium drew near, the Queen reflected on the "pace of change".

She said on her mother's 99th birthday in August she had noted how "different were her early years compared with those of my grandchildren".

At 73 she said people of her age feared being "left behind" and the "familiar and the comforting" being "swept away".

But she urged them not to be anxious and to "make sense of the future".

"Winston Churchill, my first prime minister, said that 'the further backward you look, the further forward you see'," she said.

That year she opened the new Scottish parliament and urged people not just to get excited by "new gadgets" but also to keep living by the Christian teaching of loving thy neighbour.

In 2006 the Queen's Christmas message became available to download as a podcast for the first time.

It was also recorded outside of the royal residences at Southwark Cathedral in London where Her Majesty had met with schoolchildren working on the Nativity.

She said she was impressed by their "energy, vitality and ambition to learn and to travel".

Reflecting on how the old and the young could learn from one another, she said: "I am reminded of a lady of about my age who was asked by an earnest, little granddaughter the other day, 'Granny, can you remember the Stone Age?'

"Whilst that may be going a bit far the older generation are able to give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience which can be invaluable."

The year that London held the Olympics for the first time during her reign was also when the Queen's Christmas message was broadcast in 3D for the first time.

Sky News was in charge of the Christmas Day speech that year and allowed people with 3D-ready TVs to see the Queen in three dimensions.

Her Majesty described the Olympics and Paralympics as a "splendid summer of sport", which she opened alongside Daniel Craig playing James Bond.

The stunt saw Craig collect the Queen from Buckingham Palace and fly her in a helicopter to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, east London ready to attend the opening ceremony.

In her Christmas message she thanked the "army of volunteers" who helped make the Games possible.

"Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted," she said.

The Christmas message of 2017 focused on the theme of "home" in light of the Manchester Arena terror attack and the Grenfell Tower Fire.

She said the two cities' "powerful identities shone through... in the face of appalling attacks".

The Queen visited some of the surviving victims in the days after the bombing, which she described as a "privilege".

"The patients I met were an example to us all, showing extraordinary bravery and resilience," she said.

She also recalled the "sheer awfulness" of the Grenfell tragedy, which killed 72 people, and noted that many of the firefighters who helped on the day "will not be home today because they are working to protect us".

2017 also marked 60 years since the first televised broadcast.

"Six decades on, the presenter of that broadcaster has 'evolved' somewhat," she said.

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Queen’s Christmas Day Speech: The Touching Tribute Her Majesty Will Make To Prince Philip

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will visit Her Majesty on December 25 .

On Christmas Eve the Palace shared a photo of Her Majesty in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, where she is expected to spend Christmas – her first without her late husband, Prince Philip – and receive visitors Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on December 25.

While the Queen usually displays images of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren during the speech on the table beside her, for the second year running she has decided to show just one photo of Prince Philip, who passed away in April, on her table.

This year the Queen sits next to a framed photo of herself and the late Duke of Edinburgh, to whom she was married for 73 years, taken in 2007 at Broadlands country house, Hampshire during their 60 th wedding anniversary.

For the Christmas Day address the royal wears a red wool dress by Angela Kelly and a sapphire chrysanthemum brooch, which pays tribute to her late husband.

The royal first wore the platinum brooch, which she received in 1946 and features sapphires and diamonds, on her honeymoon in 1947.

She wore it again two years later for the unveiling of a memorial to US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Queen’s annual Christmas Day speech will be broadcast to the UK on December 25 at 3pm.

The address comes days after it was announced she would spend Christmas at Windsor Castle and would be visited by her eldest son and his wife, after the Royal Family cancelled their plans to celebrate the festive period in Sandringham due to a surge in Covid-19 cases.

On December 23 Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Archie and Lilibet released their first Christmas card photo as a family of four. The photo marked the first we’ve seen of Lili since her birth in June 2021.

It’s believed Prince William, Kate Middleton, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte will be spending Christmas either at Anmer Hall in Norfolk or their London residence, Kensington Palace.

51 Photos Of The Queen And Prince Philip Throughout The Years

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The Queen’s Christmas Day message

A look back at some of Her Majesty's most poignant speeches from across her reign.

For many of us across the UK and Commonwealth, The Queen’s speech was a staple of Christmas Day festivities, and her familiar, reassuring presence will surely be missed. With each message, Her Majesty would share her personal reflection on the year passed, touching on everything from global events and current issues to national highlights and personal losses.

In 1966, The Queen reflected on the changing role of women in society, saying, “the opportunities for women to give something of value to the human family are greater than ever, because, through their own efforts, they are now beginning to play their full part in public life.”

Other speeches addressed the rise of technology, war in the Middle East, Olympic and Paralympic successes, and the passing of her loved ones.

Her Majesty’s grandfather, King George V, delivered the first ever royal speech over the wireless on Christmas Day in 1932. The Queen continued the tradition, delivering her first speech from the same desk her father, King George VI, used.

Her Majesty broadcast a speech every Christmas except for in 1969, as a documentary about The Royal Family had been scheduled. Its absence caused such concern that she issued a statement promising its return the following Christmas.

Here, we take a took back at some of the most poignant speeches she gave on Christmas Day over the years.

1952: The Queen's first Christmas message

In The Queen’s first address, she spoke of her "beloved father" and pledged to continue his Christmas message tradition, as well as his duties as monarch. She said, "My father, and my grandfather before him, worked all their lives to unite our peoples ever more closely, and to maintain its ideals, which were so near to their hearts. I shall strive to carry on their work."

1957: The first speech on television

The Queen was broadcast into homes across the nation, and around the world, for her first televised address in 1957. Now, viewers could watch her speaking directly to them from her own home, alongside photographs of her family, including an image of her children, the then Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

2003: A speech from the Barracks

The Queen’s speech on Christmas Day was usually recorded at one of the royal residences, but, in 2003, Her Majesty spoke from Combermere Barracks in Windsor. In her address she said: "I want to draw attention to the many servicemen and women who are stationed far from home this Christmas," and said she was thinking about their families.

2006: Coming full circle

In 2006, The Queen’s Speech became available to download as a podcast. Her Christmas messages had transitioned from audio broadcasts over the wireless and radio, to televised speeches and back to audio again, this time in a modern, digitised form.

2012: A year to celebrate

Of course, 2012 was the year The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, and the UK hosted the Olympics and Paralympics. Her Majesty made an appearance in the opening ceremony alongside Daniel Craig’s James Bond. In her message that Christmas, Her Majesty praised the "skill, dedication, training and teamwork of our athletes" and "the dedication and effort of an army of volunteers".

2012: 3D vision

Never afraid to embrace the latest technologies, The Queen’s 2012 speech was the first to be filmed in 3D. Her Majesty was even able to try the experience for herself, wearing a pair of bejewelled 3D glasses.

2017: Family photographs

Her Majesty was almost always surrounded with pictures of her loved ones during her Christmas messages. In 2017, The Queen sat beside a photograph of her wedding day with Prince Philip, as well as a more recent portrait of the pair. Photos of her great-grandchildren Prince George and Princess Charlotte also sit in a double frame, echoing the one of her two eldest children seen in her very first televised speech.

2021: The Queen’s final Christmas message

Her Majesty’s last Christmas Day speech in 2021 was an emotional one, as it was her first since the loss of Prince Philip, who spent more than seven decades by her side. Sitting alongside a framed photograph of the couple smiling at each other, The Queen said that there would be "one familiar laugh missing this year".

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The history of the Royal Christmas Day speech

For seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II was a staple of Christmas Day, appearing on television, radio and on the internet throughout her reign to deliver her annual Christmas Message. Now, it is King Charles who speaks to country and Commonwealth on Christmas Day. But this tradition is very much a Windsor one. It began with His Majesty’s great-grandfather, King George V, and continued through his grandfather, King George VI via radio broadcast then on into the historic reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

King George V delivered the first Christmas Message in 1932 (fun fact: it was written by author Rudyard Kipling) and spoke of the technology that made him “enabled, this Christmas Day, to speak to all my peoples throughout the Empire. I take it as a good omen that Wireless should have reached its present perfection at a time when the Empire has been linked in closer union. For it offers us immense possibilities to make that union closer still.”

King George VI delivered radio speeches each Christmas and spoke each year of the Second World Ward. In 1939 he talked about the War, stating, “A new year is at hand. We cannot tell which it will bring . If it brings peace how thankful we shall all be. If it brings continued struggle, we shall remain undaunted.”

However, it was Elizabeth II who would turn the Christmas Day message into an unmissable part of the UK’s celebrations.

It wasn’t until Queen Elizabeth’s 1957 Christmas Message that they became televised.

Queen Elizabeth II always made a point to show her sympathy to those who are less fortunate, or who had suffered tragedies that year. She always mentioned the unity of the Commonwealth, and she always made time for personal highlights from the year.

And in the last years of her reign, her wise words brought much comfort with many tuning in on December 25th 2020 to hear her speak once more of hope in the midst of the pandemic that had changed the lives of everyone throughout the year before.

Her Late Majesty’s last Christmas speech, on December 25th 2021, was her most poignant as she paid tribute to Prince Philip who had died in April 2021.

On Christmas Day 2022, it was their eldest son, Charles III, who paid tribute to them both as he made his first festive address.

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Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Message Reflects on the Royal Family's "Bumpy" Year

"The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference," she said.

More pointedly, the Queen recognized the anniversaries of D-Day, and the Apollo 11 mission, in which Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.

And she noted milestones within her own family: the arrival of Harry and Meghan's first child, Archie , and the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth.

In closing, she turned her attention to the story of Christmas, and specifically the "angels’ message of peace and goodwill."

"It’s a timely reminder of what positive things can be achieved when people set aside past differences and come together in the spirit of friendship and reconciliation," she said.

"And, as we all look forward to the start of a new decade, it’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change."

Watch the speech here, then read her remarks in full below:

As a child, I never imagined that one day a man would walk on the moon. Yet this year we marked the fiftieth anniversary of the famous Apollo 11 mission . As those historic pictures were beamed back to earth, millions of us sat transfixed to our television screens, as we watched Neil Armstrong taking a small step for man and a giant leap for mankind -- and, indeed, for womankind. It’s a reminder for us all that giant leaps often start with small steps.

This year we marked another important anniversary: D-Day. On 6th June 1944, some one hundred and fifty-six thousand British, Canadian and American forces landed in Northern France. It was the largest ever seaborne invasion and was delayed due to bad weather. I well remember the look of concern on my father’s face. He knew the secret D-Day plans but could of course share that burden with no-one.

For the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of that decisive battle, in a true spirit of reconciliation, those who had formerly been sworn enemies came together in friendly commemorations either side of the Channel, putting past differences behind them.

Such reconciliation seldom happens overnight. It takes patience and time to rebuild trust, and progress often comes through small steps. Since the end of the Second World War, many charities, groups and organisations have worked to promote peace and unity around the world, bringing together those who have been on opposing sides. By being willing to put past differences behind us and move forward together, we honour the freedom and democracy once won for us at so great a cost.

The challenges many people face today may be different to those once faced by my generation, but I have been struck by how new generations have brought a similar sense of purpose to issues such as protecting our environment and our climate.

My family and I are also inspired by the men and women of our emergency services and Armed Forces; and at Christmas we remember all those on duty at home and abroad, who are helping those in need and keeping us and our families safe and secure.

Two hundred years on from the birth of my great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, Prince Philip and I have been delighted to welcome our eighth great grandchild into our family.

Of course, at the heart of the Christmas story lies the birth of a child: a seemingly small and insignificant step overlooked by many in Bethlehem. But in time, through his teaching and by his example, Jesus Christ would show the world how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding. Many of us already try to follow in his footsteps. The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference.

As Christmas dawned, church congregations around the world joined in singing It Came Upon the Midnight Clear. Like many timeless carols, it speaks not just of the coming of Jesus Christ into a divided world, many years ago, but also of the relevance, even today, of the angels’ message of peace and goodwill.

It’s a timely reminder of what positive things can be achieved when people set aside past differences and come together in the spirit of friendship and reconciliation. And, as we all look forward to the start of a new decade, it’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.

And so, I wish you all a very happy Christmas.

As the digital director for Town & Country, Caroline Hallemann covers culture, entertainment, and a range of other subjects 

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What time is the Queen's speech on Christmas Day and what channel is it on?

The Queen’s Christmas Day message has become a staple tradition for millions of Britons each year.

The monarch’s pre-recorded speech is shown every year on 25 December and watched by families across the country, usually after they have tucked into their festive meal.

The Queen herself even watches it, even though she knows what’s coming.

It’s said she watches it with the family, though this year she will only be with Prince Philip, and that no one makes any comments until the end.

What time is the Queen’s speech on?

The Queen’s message is pre-recorded, but it’s shown at 3pm on 25 December.

The message usually lasts about 10 minutes, so the broadcast will be wrapped up by 3.10pm.

Watch: Who is The Queen?

Of course, it will be available to watch on catch-up platforms afterwards too.

While it’s colloquially called a speech, it’s officially the Christmas broadcast. The Queen gives a speech when she opens parliament.

Which channel shows the Queen’s Christmas message?

The message will be broadcast on multiple channels at 3pm on 25 December.

It will be shown on BBC One, ITV and the Sky News channel, as well as Sky One.

Read more: Queen's message: Four other times the Queen gave a special address

For those who would rather listen, the audio only will be played on BBC Radio 4.

Last year, the Royal Family also shared the message on its social media pages and YouTube channel. It’s likely the same thing will happen this year.

What will the Queen say in her Christmas message?

The contents of the message itself won’t be disclosed in any detail until moments before it’s shown on television.

But there will likely be a hint of what the Queen will say on Christmas morning, when snippets of the message will be shared via news outlets.

Of course, she can’t avoid the year’s big topic - the coronavirus pandemic.

It’s a topic she has already addressed once this year, making a special broadcast in April during the height of the national lockdown.

In that, she reassured people “We’ll meet again” as she drew of her own wartime experience.

When did the Queen first make her Christmas broadcast?

The Queen carried on the tradition of a Christmas Day broadcast from her father, King George VI.

He made the speech on the radio, but by 1957, she was able to record the message for television.

In that year, she opened her message by saying: “Twenty-five years ago my grandfather broadcast the first of these Christmas messages. Today is another landmark because television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day.

“My own family often gather round to watch television as they are this moment, and that is how I imagine you now.”

Read more: When might Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis take on royal duties?

The Queen has been on screens around the UK every 25 December at 3pm, except for one year. In 1969, a repeat of a documentary about the royals was shown instead.

The message is recorded in a royal palace, and in 2019 was shot in Windsor Castle. The Queen will most likely film it there in 2020 too, as she has spent most of the year there and will be there for Christmas.

She has also recorded it in Buckingham Palace in previous years, and it’s been filmed in Sandringham, which is where the Queen usually would be on Christmas Day herself.

Watch: Queen: ‘Thank goodness for technology’ in ‘difficult’ year

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