The Royal Christmas Broadcast is a moment of reflection and the message sent is heard by millions. In 1960, Queen Elizabeth II balanced an increasingly uncertain future across the globe with a year that had brought her great personal joy.
In 1960, there was significant political upheaval across the globe, as well as natural disasters. Queen Elizabeth acknowledged these struggles, saying ”By no stretch of the imagination can 1960 be described as a happy or successful year for mankind. Arguments and strained relations, as well as natural disasters, have all helped to produce an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty all over the world.”
As ever, there was a message of hope as Queen Elizabeth said ”The work of mutual help and the increase of mutual understanding cannot fail to be personally satisfying and of real service to the future.”
The year had also seen her welcome a third child with the arrival of her son, Prince Andrew. Queen Elizabeth thanked those who had sent well-wishes, noting ”I make no excuse for telling you once again that the kind messages which reach us from all over the world at this season give us great pleasure and encouragement.….This year I was delighted to get so many when my second son was born. The telegrams and letters which came flooding in at that time made me feel very close to all the family groups throughout the Commonwealth.”
