It would become one of the most important
speeches of a reign and of a century. When King George VI addressed
his people on Christmas Day 1939, the usual festivities were very
far from his and their minds. Instead, in the first months of World
War Two, King George spoke of the huge challenge faced by millions
in words that are now part of history. By Christmas Day 1939,
Europe was four months…
For only the second time in history, a
jubilee became the main focus of a Christmas speech. In 1977, Queen
Elizabeth II’s 1977 royal Christmas broadcast was one of
celebration and hope. In 1977, Queen Elizabeth celebrated her
Silver Jubilee marking twenty five years…
The Christmas broadcast made by Queen Elizabeth II in one of her most difficult years
14th December 2024
Each year, the sovereign addresses the
nation on Christmas day and touches upon different events and
themes. In 1997, Queen Elizabeth II made one of her most difficult
Christmas speeches after one of her most difficult years. In August
1997, Diana, Princess of Wales…
Marie Antoinette is set to dominate royal
style in 2025 – thanks to a brand new exhibition. The ill fated
Queen of France will be the inspiration for a major retrospective
at the V&A Museum in London. It’s the first major exhibition at
the museum about Marie Antoinette and its theme will be the
influence her style has had across centuries. Her dresses, shoes
and jewels and…
It was a royal wedding with a global
audience but that didn’t stop this bride doing things exactly her
own way. When Princess Anne married Timothy Laurence on December
12th 1992, she wanted low key and that’s what she had – even though
the world was…
The king who was overwhelmed by emotion in a Christmas speech marking an historic year
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…
The royal Christmas cards are flooding in
thick and fast as the big day approaches. The latest is from the
Belgian Royal Family who shared the photo that features on their
card on social media. King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have
shared the portrait on their 2024 Christmas card. They have been
joined by all four of their children for the formal portrait:
Princess Elisabeth…
A very special anniversary for a country
with a very special place in the heart of Queen Elizabeth II took
centre stage in one of her Christmas broadcasts. In 1967, Canada
celebrated its centenary. The Canadian Crown was established as
separate (as were the other…
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…
The Edwardian monarchs—King Edward VII
and Queen Alexandra and King George V and Queen Mary—are set to
take the spotlight next year as the ‘age of elegance’ of Edwardian
times is highlighted in a new exhibition from the Royal Collection
Trust. The fashionable lives of these monarchs and consorts will be
on display, with everything “from their family lives and personal
collecting to…
