Queen Elizabeth IIRoyal Christmas

The poignant final Christmas speech of a beloved king

King George VI never sought the throne but was called upon to reign at a time of huge political turmoil that would result in war. His conduct in that difficult time earned him widespread respect. By the time he spoke on Christmas Day 1951, he was a hugely popular monarch. What would prove to be last Christmas Speech, in 1951, explored both his own personal health struggles and a change for his…
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Queen Elizabeth IIRoyal Christmas

A Millennium Christmas address for the faithful

While the sovereign’s Christmas address often touches on personal topics, such as the birth of a new family member, weddings, tours, or Jubilees, they often also discuss worldwide events that affect everyone. In 2000, Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Christmas Broadcast opened with a nod to the Millennium.  Queen Elizabeth II said ”By any measure this Millennium year has been an unforgettable…
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Features

A joyful Jubilee Christmas broadcast

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…
Queen Elizabeth II

A new addition to the family for Christmas speech

As we dive into different Royal Christmas Broadcasts each day in December, we are able to see both personal and public moments marked for the sovereign. Queen Elizabeth II marked moments of family joy and public loss in 2015.  The spring of 2015 had brought great family joy with the arrival of Princess Charlotte. Her proud great grandmother reflected on that in her Christmas speech, noting…
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FeaturesRoyal Christmas

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

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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