For our last lookback at Royal Christmas Broadcasts throughout the years, we are looking at one of the most historic Christmas speeches: Queen Elizabeth II’s first Christmas address as monarch in 1952.
When Princess Elizabeth set out with her husband for a six month Commonwealth tour on behalf of her father. King George VI, on 31 January 1952, she did not know that within days, she would be returning as Queen Elizabeth II.
She began her first Christmas broadcast as Queen by acknowledging this change, saying ”each Christmas, at this time, my beloved father broadcast a message to his people in all parts of the world. Today I am doing this to you, who are now my people. As he used to do, I am speaking to you from my own home, where I am spending Christmas with my family”
The young Elizabeth II also spoke of her dedication to her role as Queen, noting “We belong… to the British Commonwealth… it can be a great power for good- a force which I believe can be of immeasurable benefit to all humanity. My father and my grandfather before him, worked all their lives to unite our peoples ever more closely, and to maintain its ideals which were so near to their hearts. I shall strive to carry on their work.”
Queen Elizabeth II also thanked her subjects for the support and goodwill she received in the first year of her reign, as she said ”since my accession ten months ago, your loyalty and affection have been an immense support and encouragement. I want to take this Christmas Day, my first opportunity, to thank you with all my heart.”
The Christmas speech was just 20 years old when Elizabeth II made her first broadcast. She would make almost another 70 speeches and now the tradition is firmly rooted. On Christmas Day 2024, her son and successor, King Charles III, will speak to the country and Commonwealth for the third time as Monarch.
