Royal Christmas Message facts for kids
The King's Christmas Message is a special broadcast given by the King or Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms every year on Christmas Day. It's also known as the Royal Christmas Message. This tradition started in 1932 with King George V on the radio. Today, you can watch it on TV, listen on the radio, or find it online. It's usually broadcast at 3:00 PM GMT on Christmas Day.
Contents
How it Started
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King George V giving the 1934 Royal Christmas Message.
The idea for a Christmas message came from John Reith, who started the British Broadcasting Corporation. He first asked King George V in 1922, but the King thought radio was just for fun.
Ten years later, in 1932, Reith asked again. This time, the King agreed, encouraged by Queen Mary and Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. The first message was written by the famous writer Rudyard Kipling. King George V was a bit nervous about using radio, but he visited the BBC and felt better about it. He read the speech from a special studio at Sandringham House.
The 1934 message was introduced by a shepherd and included church bells and carols. It reached about 20 million people in places like Australia, Canada, India, and South Africa.
King George VI, who became King after his brother King Edward VIII stepped down, continued the Christmas broadcasts. In 1939, at the start of the Second World War, he said the famous words: "I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year."
For many years, the King's speech was the last part of a longer broadcast. This show featured greetings from different parts of the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations. It included interviews with everyday people, like a miner in South Africa or a lifeguard in Australia. The King's speech helped connect everyone in the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth II gave her first Christmas message in 1952, about 10 months after her father, King George VI, passed away. She spoke from her study at Sandringham House.
Five years later, in 1957, the message was shown on television for the very first time. It has been on TV every year since, except for 1969. That year, a documentary film called Royal Family had been made. So, the Queen decided not to do a TV broadcast at Christmas. Instead, she sent a written message.
Until 1996, the BBC always produced the Christmas broadcast. Then, it was decided that the BBC and Independent Television News (ITN) would take turns producing it. Later, Sky News also joined the rotation in 2011.
In 2012, for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Sky News recorded the message in 3D for the first time. Buckingham Palace said they wanted to do something "different and special" for the Jubilee year.
Queen Elizabeth II usually decided the topics for her speeches and wrote most of the text herself. Sometimes, her husband, Prince Philip, helped her. Later in her reign, her speeches became more personal and religious.
How it's Broadcast
A British family watching the Queen's Christmas message during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The message usually talks about the year's big events, especially those in the Commonwealth of Nations. It also includes the King or Queen's personal thoughts and feelings about Christmas. This is one of the few times the monarch speaks publicly without advice from government ministers.
Planning for the speech starts months before Christmas. The monarch chooses a theme, and old videos are gathered. The actual speech is recorded a few days before Christmas.
Here's when it's broadcast in different places:
- Online and in the United Kingdom: It's available at 3:00 PM GMT on December 25.
- New Zealand: It's the first country to broadcast it, at 6:06 PM local time (5:06 AM GMT) on radio, and then at 6:50 PM on TV.
- Australia: The message is broadcast at 3:20 PM local time (which is between 5:20 AM and 8:20 AM GMT, depending on the time zone).
- Canada: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation usually broadcasts it at noon local time on TV and at 11:50 AM local time on radio.
- United States: C-SPAN sometimes airs the message, but the times can change.
Past Messages
George V's Messages
| Year | What he talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Written by Rudyard Kipling. He spoke about new technology allowing him to reach people everywhere. He also mentioned working for peace and being kind to others. | BBC |
| 1933 | He thanked everyone for their Christmas greetings. He said the past year showed progress in recovering from the Great Depression. He felt hopeful for the future. | |
| 1934 | He described the British Empire as "one great family." He was happy about his son's marriage and hoped for more unity in a restless world. He also spoke about India's place in the family. | |
| 1935 | He mentioned his 25th year as King and his role in connecting people. He also talked about his son's marriage and his sister's death. He wished for peace and kindness among all nations. |
Edward VIII's Message
No Christmas Message was given, as he stepped down from the throne in his first year.
George VI's Messages
1930s
| Year | What he talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1936 | No message was delivered. | None |
| 1937 | His first message as King. He remembered his father's broadcasts and thanked the Empire for its support. He spoke of "shadows of enmity and of fear" in the world but hoped for peace. | BBC |
| 1938 | No message was delivered. | None |
| 1939 | This was the first Christmas of the Second World War. He spoke from Sandringham House about fighting against "wickedness." He praised the bravery of the Navy and other forces. He ended with a famous quote about putting your hand "into the Hand of God." | BBC |
1940s
| Year | What he talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | He spoke about the sadness of separation during wartime, but also the unity that came from facing dangers together. He hoped this unity would continue after the war. | BBC |
| 1941 | He focused on the "one great family" of the Empire. He praised those serving in the military and women working in factories or hospitals. He believed their service would win the war. | |
| 1942 | He felt confident because of recent Allied victories. He thanked the United States and the Soviet Union for their help. He called the Commonwealth a "family circle" made stronger by danger. | |
| 1943 | He sent greetings to everyone, especially those serving in the military and those in hospitals. He thanked the United States, the Soviet Union, and China for their contributions. | |
| 1944 | He spoke of hope, saying that "lamps" were being relit across Europe. He praised the fighting men and wished well to the sick and prisoners of war. He hoped for a world of free people after the war. | |
| 1945 | He said that although much was lost, what was saved was priceless. He believed the dream of world peace he spoke of during the war had come true. | |
| 1946 | He talked about the difficulties after the war. He encouraged patience, saying the world needed time to heal. He believed "better days lie ahead." | |
| 1947 | He stated that the unity of the British Commonwealth and Empire "saved the liberties of the world." He urged listeners not to doubt their ability to overcome challenges. | |
| 1948 | He gave his message from Buckingham Palace for the first time due to illness. He mentioned his 25th wedding anniversary and the birth of his grandson, Prince Charles. | |
| 1949 | He reassured people about his recovery from illness. He thanked the USA for its help in Britain's recovery efforts. |
1950s
| Year | What he talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | He spoke of the "grim shadow of war" due to the Cold War and Korean War. He used the story of The Pilgrim's Progress to talk about facing challenges with courage. | BBC |
| 1951 | This was his last Christmas message, and it was pre-recorded because he had just had lung surgery. He thanked everyone for their good wishes during his recovery. |
Elizabeth II's Messages
1950s
| Year | What she talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Her first message. She spoke of continuing the tradition of her father and grandfather. She saw the Commonwealth as a "great power for good." | BBC |
| 1953 | Broadcast from Auckland, New Zealand, during her royal tour. She spoke of the Crown as a "personal and loving bond" and the Commonwealth as a "fellowship." | |
| 1954 | She broadcast from Sandringham House after a year of traveling the world with her husband. | |
| 1955 | Live from Sandringham. Her theme was the opportunities that came from being part of the Commonwealth. This was the first time it was also broadcast on ITV. | |
| 1956 | Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, spoke from his ship. The Queen then spoke from Sandringham, expressing sadness for those separated from family or without a home. | |
| 1957 | This was the first message shown on television and marked 25 years of Christmas broadcasts. She spoke about holding onto timeless values like religion and honesty. | |
| 1958 | She focused on spiritual and family values. She explained why her children were not shown in the broadcast, wanting them to grow up normally. This was her last live message. | |
| 1959 | She pre-recorded her message for the first time. This allowed it to be sent abroad and broadcast on Christmas Day in Australia and New Zealand, despite time differences. |
1960s
| Year | What she talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | She spoke from Buckingham Palace about an eventful year. This included the birth of Prince Andrew and Nigeria gaining independence. | BBC |
| 1961 | She talked about her six-week tour of India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran, and her visit to Vatican City. | |
| 1962 | From Buckingham Palace, she mentioned recent successes in space, like the launch of Telstar, which helped broadcast TV around the world. | |
| 1963 | She returned to a radio-only message as she was expecting Prince Edward. She spoke about the campaign to end world hunger and the Commonwealth's efforts. | |
| 1964 | She discussed the important role of the Commonwealth. This was a year when Nelson Mandela was jailed and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru died. | |
| 1965 | The theme was family, from individual families to the "family of man." | |
| 1966 | She spoke about the growing and important role of women in society. | |
| 1967 | She mentioned Canada's 100th birthday and her five-week tour there. This was the first message shown in colour. | |
| 1968 | From Buckingham Palace, the theme was brotherhood. She mentioned the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.. | |
| 1969 | No TV message was given. She felt there had been enough TV coverage that year. She issued a written message instead, acknowledging the end of the 1960s and men walking on the moon. | None |
1970s
| Year | What she talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | The message was televised again. She spoke about her trips to Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, showing film from these visits. | BBC |
| 1971 | Focusing on families, the TV version showed Prince Andrew and Prince Edward looking at a family photo album. | |
| 1972 | It included scenes from her 25th wedding anniversary. She also mentioned the violence in Northern Ireland and Britain joining the European Economic Community. | |
| 1973 | Footage of her daughter, Princess Anne's wedding was shown alongside the Queen's speech. | |
| 1974 | In a more serious tone, she spoke about problems like ongoing violence in Northern Ireland and the Middle East. She also mentioned famine in Bangladesh and floods in Australia. | |
| 1975 | Recorded outdoors in the gardens of Buckingham Palace for the first time. She acknowledged a year of high inflation and unemployment. | |
| 1976 | To mark the United States Bicentennial, she visited the USA. This visit and the idea of making up after disagreements were the main focus. | |
| 1977 | She remembered her Silver Jubilee celebrations that year. She hoped for peace in Northern Ireland, which she had visited. | |
| 1978 | The future was her topic. The broadcast included film of her with her new grandson, Peter Phillips, and older broadcasts from George V. | |
| 1979 | This was the Year of the Child, so the message focused on children and young people. Subtitles were used for the first time for those with hearing difficulties. |
1980s
| Year | What she talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The message had a record 28 million viewers in the UK. She reflected on the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the importance of service. | BBC |
| 1981 | Broadcast from the terrace at Buckingham Palace, it marked the International Year of Disabled Persons. | |
| 1982 | Marking 50 years of Christmas messages, she spoke from Windsor Castle for the first time. The theme was "the sea," after British troops fought in the Falklands War. | |
| 1983 | She discussed how modern technology could help cooperation in the Commonwealth. She mentioned her visit to Bangladesh and India, where she met Indira Gandhi. | |
| 1984 | The message was about what adults could learn from children. It included film of her fourth grandchild, Prince Harry's christening. | |
| 1985 | She spoke of tragedies like the Mexico City earthquake and famine in Africa. However, the message focused on good news and praised public achievements. | |
| 1986 | Filmed at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, she emphasized society's responsibility towards children. | |
| 1987 | She mentioned the bombing in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, and stressed the importance of tolerance and forgiveness. | |
| 1988 | She reflected on important anniversaries: 400 years since the Spanish Armada and 200 years since Australia's founding. She also mentioned recent disasters. | |
| 1989 | She read her speech at the Royal Albert Hall during a gala for Save the Children. She spoke about the wonder of childhood and the Parable of The Good Samaritan. |
1990s
| Year | What she talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | She honored the armed services, especially with war coming in the Persian Gulf. | BBC |
| 1991 | The message reflected on big changes in Eastern Europe and Russia, including the end of the Soviet Union. She spoke about the importance of democracy. | |
| 1992 | One month after a fire at Windsor Castle, she spoke about personal strength. She also mentioned the 60th anniversary of the speech and her 40th year as Queen. | |
| 1993 | She praised the work of volunteers who help bring peace and relief to others. | |
| 1994 | Reflecting on peace efforts, she mentioned attending ceremonies for the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Landings and her visit to Russia. | |
| 1995 | She started by remembering the 50th anniversary of VE-Day and VJ-Day. She then spoke about current conflicts and praised peacemakers around the world. | |
| 1996 | She spoke of her trips to Poland, the Czech Republic, and Thailand, and Nelson Mandela's visit to the UK. The overall theme was hope for the future. | |
| 1997 | This was the first message produced by ITN and published on the Internet. She spoke of the joy of her married life, despite the recent funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. | ITN |
| 1998 | The message focused on what different generations could learn from each other. It included film of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales's 50th birthday. | |
| 1999 | She looked forward to the new century and millennium, and reflected on history. The broadcast featured young achievers and emergency service members. | BBC |
2000s
| Year | What she talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | She reflected on the true start of the new millennium and the importance of faith. The broadcast included film from her visit to Australia that year. | BBC |
| 2001 | Her 50th Christmas message. She spoke about the many challenges that year, like the foot-and-mouth disease and the September 11 attacks. She stressed the importance of faith. | ITN |
| 2002 | Her 50th broadcast. She spoke of joy and sadness, reflecting on the deaths of her sister and mother that year. She found comfort in her faith and public support. | |
| 2003 | She encouraged thinking of armed forces members serving abroad. She praised their work for peace and spoke about the importance of teamwork. | BBC |
| 2004 | The theme was cultural and religious diversity and the benefits of tolerance. It showed her and Prince Philip visiting a Sikh temple and Prince Charles visiting a Muslim school. | |
| 2005 | She reflected on tragedies like the Indian Ocean tsunami and the London bombings. She praised the amazing help from people of all faiths. | ITN |
| 2006 | This speech was available as a podcast for the first time. It was about how young and old generations can work together to strengthen communities. | |
| 2007 | The theme was family. She spoke about the duty to care for vulnerable people. Footage of Royal Marines in Afghanistan was shown. | BBC |
| 2008 | She acknowledged concerns about the economic downturn and violence. She urged people to show courage and work for a better future. This was the first message in high-definition. | |
| 2009 | She reflected on the role of Commonwealth armed forces serving in Afghanistan. | ITN |
2010s
| Year | What she talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | She focused on the importance of the King James Bible and how sport can build communities. It included footage of Prince William and Prince Harry playing football in Lesotho. | ITN |
| 2011 | The themes were unity and hope during tough times, and the importance of family. She mentioned royal tours and the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. | Sky |
| 2012 | This message was broadcast in 3D for the first time. It was her 60th message and marked her Diamond Jubilee. | |
| 2013 | The theme was reflection. She spoke about her coronation's 60th anniversary and the role of the Commonwealth. She also mentioned the birth of Prince George. | BBC |
| 2014 | She spoke about the 100th anniversary of World War I and her visit to a poppy memorial. She also mentioned the Christmas truce of 1914 and the idea of reconciliation. | |
| 2015 | She encouraged finding hope in "moments of darkness" after a year of disasters and attacks. She quoted the Gospel of John and thanked those who bring love into lives. | ITN |
| 2016 | The theme was inspiration. She praised British athletes and spoke of the inspiration from ordinary people doing good deeds. | |
| 2017 | The theme was "home." She acknowledged the 60th anniversary of her first televised message. She paid tribute to victims of terrorist attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire. | Sky |
| 2018 | She noted the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force and the Armistice. She mentioned family events like the birth of Prince Louis and royal weddings. She stressed mutual respect. | |
| 2019 | She spoke from Windsor Castle about "small steps" bringing lasting change. She mentioned the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. She urged people to heal divisions. | BBC |
2020s
| Year | What she talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | At the end of a year with the COVID-19 pandemic, she praised the "indomitable" spirit of those who faced challenges. She said, "You are not alone" to those who suffered loss. | BBC |
| 2021 | Her final Christmas Message. She spoke about the death of her husband, Prince Philip, earlier that year. She thanked people for their "warmth and affection" and remembered his "mischievous, enquiring twinkle." | ITN |
Charles III's Messages
| Year | What he talked about | Broadcast partner |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | This was his first Christmas message as King. He spoke about the importance of community and helping others, especially during difficult times. He also paid tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. | ITN |
Similar Messages Around the World
Many other countries have similar traditions of their leaders giving Christmas or New Year messages:
- The Queen of the Netherlands started her Christmas message in 1931.
- The Pope gives a Christmas message to the world.
- The King of Sweden, the King of the Belgians, the President of Germany, and the King of Spain also give Christmas messages.
- Other leaders, like the Governors-General of Canada and New Zealand, and the Presidents of France and Russia, give New Year's messages.
- The Archbishop of Canterbury, a religious leader, also gives a New Year's Day speech.
- The British Prime Minister gives a short Christmas message and a longer New Year's message.
- The Prime Minister of Canada records a short Christmas greeting.
- In the past, the Governor of Hong Kong gave a message. Now, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong continues this tradition.
- The President of the United States also gives Christmas messages, sometimes to soldiers.
See also
In Spanish: Mensaje de Navidad de Su Majestad (Reino Unido) para niños
- Alternative Christmas message
- Christmas Eve National Speech
- List of addresses to the nation by the British monarch
- Prime Minister's New Year Message
- Cadena nacional
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