Royal Christmas

King Harald marks Christmas at special church service

King Harald and Queen Sonja joined the congregation at Holmenkollen church on Christmas Day for a special service. The King and Queen of Norway were accompanied by one of their granddaughters, Emma Behn. They were all welcomed to the church by the chaplain, Line Lindholm Eiborg, who took the Christmas Day service and gave the reading from the Gospel of St. John. Music came from the…
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Royal Christmas

Did Queen Victoria and Prince Albert really introduce the Christmas tree to Britain?

Prince Albert is generally credited with introducing the Christmas tree to Britain, but in fact, it was the work of his wife’s grandmother, Queen Charlotte. Like Prince Albert, Charlotte was born and raised in Germany, where the tradition of bringing a tree inside at Christmas time, decorated with lights and sweets, is believed to date back to the 16th century. As a child, Charlotte’s family…
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Royal Christmas

A medieval royal Christmas

Every Christmas, we expect the Royal Family to go to Sandringham for their annual Christmas Day church service and later, hear a speech from the Monarch. While that is the tradition in the 21st century, the days of the Royal Family celebrating Christmas in a big way date…
Royal Christmas

Schedule of the royal Christmas speeches

It’s almost time for the royal Christmas and New Year speeches from the monarchs across Europe, but when can you expect to watch each speech? There are three speeches on Christmas Eve: Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, King Felipe of Spain and King Philippe of the Belgians. King Felipe of Spain’s message airs at 9 pm Spanish time, while Philippe’s pre-recorded remarks are…
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Royal Christmas

How Sweden's royals are celebrating Christmas

December is one of the busiest months for the Swedish Royal Family. Nevertheless, they always make room in their agenda to celebrate Christmas together as a family. The Swedish Royal Family has a packed schedule during the month of December: the Nobel Prize Celebrations…
Royal Christmas

The old and new traditions that will mark Denmark's royal Christmas

The Danish Royal Family are some of the most open when it comes to details on how they celebrate the Christmas holidays. Ahead of the festive season, they always send out a press release about their Christmas plans. The Danish royals spend the holiday at Marselisborg Palace in Aarhus. It has been the tradition since Queen Margrethe took the throne in 1972 and the family will stick to it in…
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