A look back at the Queen's first televised Christmas message
By Bianca Farmakis|
For most of us, it's impossible to remember a Christmas that wasn't accompanied by a televised message from Queen Elizabeth II จC but this year, it will be just that, with King Charles III officially delivering his first annual Christmas broadcast on Christmas Day.
Each year throughout her 70-year reign, Her Majesty appeared on television screens across the UK and the Commonwealth nations to deliver her Christmas speech.
She wasn't the first monarch to broadcast a Christmas message; that tradition began with King George V, who sent his wishes to the public via radio in 1932.
READ MORE: Meghan Markle issues rare public statement over 'vile' article
King George VI continued the annual radio broadcasts, as did his daughter when she ascended the throne in 1952.
However, seven years later, she became the first monarch to deliver her Christmas message via television.
Filmed at Sandringham House, the black and white footage of that address shows a 31-year-old Queen Elizabeth sitting by the same desk her father and grandfather used for their broadcasts.
READ MORE: 'Not good enough': TV star's shock body admission?
"Happy Christmas. Twenty-five years ago, my grandfather broadcast the first of these Christmas messages," the young monarch, wearing a shiny dress, begins.
"Today is another landmark, because television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day.
"My own family often gather around to watch television, as they are at this moment, and that is how I imagine you now."
The Queen added she hoped the new medium would allow her Christmas message to be "more personal and direct".
9Honey's royal columnist Victoria Arbiter explains the Queen used her broadcast to reflect on the major events of the year and the royal family's personal milestones.
"It also offered Her Majesty an opportunity to share her thoughts on what Christmas meant to her," she adds.
READ MORE: ?Melbourne mum's $50k battle to bring 'miracle' baby home for Christmas
READ MORE: Cranky sports reporter's weather coverage goes viral?
The theme for the address was chosen by the Queen months ahead of its broadcast, Arbiter says, which allowed for archive material to be collected.
"The Queen wrote the message herself along with her advisors, and it was then recorded a few days before Christmas," the royal expert continues.
"It represented one of the only occasions in which the Queen was able to speak personally, without any advice from her government ministers."
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
