FeaturesRoyal Christmas

The king who was overwhelmed by emotion in a Christmas speech marking an historic year

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12th December 2024
While the Royal Christmas Broadcast is a Christmas Day staple for many people now that it approaches its hundredth anniversary, at one point it was still very new. The first Monarch to speak was King George V, starting in 1932. King George V had had to be convinced to give that first broadcast. However, by 1935 he had become somewhat comfortable with the technologically advanced holiday…
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FeaturesRoyal Christmas

Golden celebrations and profound loss mixed in an historic Christmas Day speech

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10th December 2024
The Royal Christmas Broadcasts provide fantastic insights into the monarch’s personal and professional year. As we examine a different Christmas speech each day in December, we are able to learn a bit more about the Monarch on the throne. Queen Elizabeth II’s 2002 address was a touching end to a difficult year.  The Queen’s younger sister, Princess Margaret, died on 9 February 2002 at…
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FeaturesRoyal Christmas

How personal joy combined with concerns for peace in a landmark Christmas speech

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9th December 2024
The Royal Christmas Broadcast remains a beloved tradition, with the Monarch sharing a heartfelt speech. One of the most exciting years for the Royal Family also produced one of the most poignant speeches. Sixty years ago, in 1964, the Royal Family welcomed four new babies. Princess Alexandra of Kent gave birth to James Robert Bruce Ogilvy on 29 February. Less than a fortnight later, Queen…
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Features

A striking tiara that provided a Christmas surprise

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6th December 2024
Turquoises have been valued as precious stones for thousands of years but they are relatively rare in modern royal jewellery boxes. So when they make an appearance, everyone notices. And that’s just what happened when a December born princess chose December’s…
FeaturesRoyal Christmas

A Christmas speech of pride and joy

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5th December 2024
In this season of Advent, Royal Central is looking at different royal Christmas Broadcasts from the last century in the lead up to Christmas. While many broadcasts have had to acknowledge difficult events, some were focused on the positive. Queen Elizabeth II’s 2012 Christmas Day address was one of the most joyful in her reign. Not only did London host the 2012 Olympic Games in July, Queen…
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