The Royal Christmas Broadcast is a tradition dating back nearly a century, and four British monarchs have marked notable moments in history in their speeches. They are milestones in the royal story and each day in December, we at Royal Central will be bringing you a different Christmas speech from history.
The first Christmas speech
King George V gave his first Christmas Broadcast in 1932. Sir John Reith, Director General of the BBC, convinced the hesitant monarch to deliver the two and a half minute speech to his subjects. It was rather a change of stance for the monarch, as he had refused when asked in 1922.
The King’s speech – by a cherished writer
From Sandringham House, King George spoke to the Empire of the possibility and promise of technology in a speech written by author Rudyard Kipling. George V said ”Through one of the marvels of modern Science, I am 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 perfect at a time when the Empire has been linked in closer union. For it offers us immense possibilities to make that union closer still.”
A kingdom, an empire and a family
George V had always had an acute understanding of how important it was for his dynasty to be seen as both royal and a family. Although he had a reputation as a somewhat gruff man, this first Christmas broadcast, like many of his speeches, was filled with a a heartfelt sentiment that crossed barriers. He told his listeners poignantly that ‘‘I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all; to men and women so cut off by the snows, the desert, or the sea, that only voices out of the air can reach them.”
Duty and service first
The quiet but dutiful monarch also highlighted the importance of service, saying ”My life’s aim has been to serve as I might… Your loyalty, your confidence in me has been my abundant reward.”
It was a gentle and well received speech that is thought to have reached over 20 million people. And it was the beginning of a tradition that would soon become a major part of Christmas celebrations.
