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 on the throne. She is only the second British monarch to have a Silver Jubilee with her grandfather, King George V, being the…
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FeaturesRoyal Christmas

The king who was overwhelmed by emotion in a Christmas speech marking an historic year

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 give that first broadcast. However, by 1935 he had become somewhat comfortable with the technologically advanced holiday…
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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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British RoyalsRoyal Christmas

A new king's Christmas pledge to his subjects

In 1937, King George VI made his first broadcast on Christmas Day. King George VI unexpectedly ascended to the throne in December 1936 after his elder brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated after less than a year as monarch. Given his shock and all of the upheaval, George VI did not make a Christmas broadcast in 1936.  George was anxious about the broadcast as public speaking made him nervous…
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