Dec. 25, 2024

The History of the King's Christmas Message

The History of the King's Christmas Message

The Christmas Day address by the monarch of the United Kingdom is a tradition that has evolved over decades, becoming one of the most anticipated moments of the holiday season. The message, delivered annually on December 25th, has come to embody the...

The Christmas Day address by the monarch of the United Kingdom is a tradition that has evolved over decades, becoming one of the most anticipated moments of the holiday season. The message, delivered annually on December 25th, has come to embody the British monarchy’s relationship with its people, offering a moment of reflection and unity. Although the royal Christmas message is now a staple of modern Christmas celebrations, its history is deeply tied to the changing face of the monarchy, technology, and the nation itself.

The first royal Christmas message, as we know it today, was delivered by King George V in 1932. However, the tradition of monarchs addressing the public around Christmas predates this momentous occasion. Before the 20th century, the monarch’s Christmas address was usually delivered as part of a written proclamation or royal letter.


Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!
WEBVTT

1
00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:13.560
Calarogus Shark Media. Hello and welcome to Balance Intrigue. I

2
00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:16.640
am your host, Mark Francis. The Christmas Day Address by

3
00:00:16.679 --> 00:00:19.199
the Monarch of the United Kingdom is a tradition that

4
00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:22.039
has evolved over decades, becoming one of the most anticipated

5
00:00:22.079 --> 00:00:25.280
moments of the holiday season. The message, delivered annually on

6
00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:28.519
December twenty fifth, has come to embody the British monarchy's

7
00:00:28.559 --> 00:00:32.119
relationship with its people, offering a moment of reflection and unity.

8
00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:34.520
Although the Royal Christmas Message is now a staple of

9
00:00:34.880 --> 00:00:38.000
modern Christmas celebrations, its history is deeply tied to the

10
00:00:38.079 --> 00:00:41.679
changing face of the monarchy, technology, and the nation itself.

11
00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:45.079
The first Royal Christmas messages we know it today was

12
00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:48.240
delivered by King George the Fifth in nineteen thirty two. However,

13
00:00:48.520 --> 00:00:51.560
the tradition of monarch's addressing the public around Christmas predates

14
00:00:51.560 --> 00:00:55.280
to this momentous occasion. Before the twentieth century, the monarch's

15
00:00:55.359 --> 00:00:57.679
Christmas address was usually delivered as part of a written

16
00:00:57.679 --> 00:01:01.679
proclamation or royal letter. These early messages were typically formal

17
00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:05.719
and impersonal, focusing on political matters or public directives. It

18
00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:08.719
wasn't until the twentieth century when technological advancements like the

19
00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:12.120
radio became widespread that the Monarch's Christmas address took on

20
00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:15.879
its modern form. Radio was rapidly becoming an essential medium

21
00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:18.280
for reaching the masses, and it was King George the Fifth,

22
00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:20.599
deeply aware of the changing world around him, who made

23
00:01:20.599 --> 00:01:24.280
the first significant move toward a more intimate personal address

24
00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:27.799
to the nation. In nineteen thirty two, during his reign,

25
00:01:27.879 --> 00:01:30.040
King George the Fifth agreed to a new experiment that

26
00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:33.239
would changed the monarchy's relationship with its subjects. The king

27
00:01:33.480 --> 00:01:36.599
monarch wo had already seen significant changes in the British

28
00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:39.239
Empire and the world was eager to make use of

29
00:01:39.280 --> 00:01:43.480
the increasingly influential radio medium. Its Christmas message that year

30
00:01:43.599 --> 00:01:47.000
was broadcast by the BBC and was addressed directly to

31
00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:49.920
the British people, marking the beginning of the Royal Christmas

32
00:01:49.959 --> 00:01:53.519
messages we know it. King George the Fifth's Christmas speech

33
00:01:53.519 --> 00:01:56.439
in nineteen thirty two was simple yet profound. The King

34
00:01:56.480 --> 00:02:00.000
expressed gratitude for the support of the British publican underscore

35
00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:02.560
the importance of unity during a time of global unrest.

36
00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:04.719
As the world was still reeling from the after effects

37
00:02:04.760 --> 00:02:07.959
of the First World war and the Great Depression. He

38
00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:10.599
remarked on the power of radio, noting that it allowed

39
00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:13.000
him to communicate directly with people from all corners of

40
00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:16.360
the British Empire and beyond. In his speech, King George

41
00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:19.400
the Fifth said, I speak now from my heart to

42
00:02:19.479 --> 00:02:21.879
my people. It is my first wish that we should

43
00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:24.800
all be united, and it is my prayer that we

44
00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:27.719
shall all share in the blessings of peace and happiness.

45
00:02:28.439 --> 00:02:31.639
This radio message was a groundbreaking moment for the British monarchy,

46
00:02:31.680 --> 00:02:34.199
marking the beginning of a new era in royal communication.

47
00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:37.800
The broadcast was a massive success, and the public reaction

48
00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:41.319
was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the King's initiative to

49
00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:44.080
connect with the people in such a direct and personal way.

50
00:02:44.560 --> 00:02:48.800
The tradition was born. The tradition of royal Christmas messages

51
00:02:48.840 --> 00:02:51.000
was firmly established in the British public's mind by the

52
00:02:51.039 --> 00:02:53.599
time of King George the Fifth's death in nineteen thirty six,

53
00:02:53.639 --> 00:02:56.360
but it was his son, King George the six who

54
00:02:56.520 --> 00:02:59.159
truly solidified the importance of the address during a time

55
00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:02.360
of war and uncertainty. When World War II broke out

56
00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:05.919
in nineteen thirty nine, the British monarchy was confronted with

57
00:03:06.080 --> 00:03:09.080
new challenges in terms of public morale and national unity.

58
00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:12.919
King George's Six, who were ascended to the throne unexpectedly

59
00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:15.719
following the abdication of his brother, King Edward the Eighth,

60
00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:19.159
understood the significance of his role in boosting national morale

61
00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:22.479
during the war. His speeches, including the Christmas Day Address,

62
00:03:22.520 --> 00:03:25.120
became crucial moments for the British people to come together

63
00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:27.520
and find solace in the midst of hardships of wartime.

64
00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:30.639
Unlike King George the Fifth, Ward recorded his speeches in

65
00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:34.520
a more detached manner, King George's six addresses were often

66
00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:38.439
heartfelt and emotional, reflecting the anxiety and resolve of times.

67
00:03:39.039 --> 00:03:41.319
One of the most famous Christmas Addresses by King George

68
00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:43.280
the Six was delivered in nineteen thirty nine at the

69
00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:45.960
outset of the war. In this address, the King directly

70
00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:49.319
acknowledged the difficult times facing the British people and expressed

71
00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:51.039
his hope that they will remained strong in the face

72
00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:54.479
of adversity. His speech was a rallying cry for resilience

73
00:03:54.560 --> 00:03:57.400
and became a symbol of the monarchy's commitment to supporting

74
00:03:57.400 --> 00:04:01.360
the nation through the war. King george six speeches, which

75
00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:04.360
were often broadcast live, also introduced a new level of

76
00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:07.560
intimacy and authenticity. The King, who had struggled with a

77
00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:11.159
speech impediment throughout his life, was viewed with deep sympathy

78
00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:13.840
by the public. His Christmas messages were no longer simple

79
00:04:13.919 --> 00:04:17.360
royal pronouncements. They were personal and deeply moving reflections that

80
00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:21.240
resonated with listeners. During the war years, the King's broadcasts

81
00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:23.800
were often accompanied by music or messages from other members

82
00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:26.680
of the royal family, enhancing the sense of solidarity and

83
00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:30.879
shared purpose. This marked a departure from earlier broadcasts, which

84
00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:34.720
had been strictly formal and devoid of emotional resonance. In

85
00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:37.519
nineteen forty one, for example, King George's sixth Christmas speech

86
00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:40.720
included at stirring reading of the poem The Gate of

87
00:04:40.759 --> 00:04:44.519
the Year by Minny Louise Haskins. The poem's opening line,

88
00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:46.360
I said to the man who stood at the gate

89
00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:48.399
of the year, give me a light that I may

90
00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:52.399
tread safely into the unknown, became iconic. It captured the

91
00:04:52.480 --> 00:04:54.639
mood of a nation at war, with the king delivering

92
00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:58.360
it in a tone that combined hope with resolve. This

93
00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:01.240
blend of emotional depth and public leadership became a hallmark

94
00:05:01.279 --> 00:05:04.079
of the Royal Christmas Message, as it demonstrated the monarchy's

95
00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:06.759
role not just as a ceremonial institution, but as a

96
00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:10.759
source of moral support during the darkest of times. The

97
00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:13.600
Christmas Message continued under King George's six until his death

98
00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:15.920
in nineteen fifty two, when his daughter, Queen Elizabeth the

99
00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:18.560
Second assented the throne. The new Queen, still a young

100
00:05:18.600 --> 00:05:21.759
woman at the time, inherited the Christmas Address tradition and

101
00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:24.000
quickly adapted it to suit her own style and the

102
00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:28.120
changing world. Queen Elizabeth the Second's first Christmas Message, delivered

103
00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:30.519
in nineteen fifty two, marked a new chapter for the

104
00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:33.480
Royal family in many ways have reflected the modernization of

105
00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:36.480
the monarchy under her leadership. As a British empire continued

106
00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:38.439
to shrink and the role of the monarchy in the

107
00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:41.759
Commonwealth evolved, the Queen's speeches were often more personal and

108
00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:45.560
reflective than those of her predecessors, acknowledging the changing of

109
00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:48.279
dynamics of the world and the monarchy's place within it.

110
00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:51.439
During her reign, Queen Elizabeth the Second used the Christmas

111
00:05:51.480 --> 00:05:54.560
message to reflect on both personal and national themes, offering

112
00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:56.959
a sense of continuity reassurance to the people of the

113
00:05:57.040 --> 00:06:00.240
United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Her messages have touched on

114
00:06:00.279 --> 00:06:02.920
significant events such as the country's recovery from the Second

115
00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:05.920
World War, the end of the British Empire, the development

116
00:06:05.959 --> 00:06:08.759
of the European Union, and the changing faces of the

117
00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:13.439
monarchy itself. The Queen's nineteen fifty seven Christmas Message was

118
00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:16.800
particularly notable for being the first to be televised. The

119
00:06:16.800 --> 00:06:19.920
introduction of television broadcasting had a profound impact on the

120
00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:22.920
way the monarch communicated with the people, as it allowed

121
00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:26.279
for a more intimate and direct connection. The Queen, speaking

122
00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:28.439
to the nation from behind the camera, was able to

123
00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:30.639
look into the eyes of millions of viewers, as marked

124
00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.800
a major shift from the radio broadcasts of her predecessors,

125
00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:36.959
emphasizing the monarchy's desire to be more accessible and relatable.

126
00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:40.279
As the years passed, the Christmas Message became a staple

127
00:06:40.279 --> 00:06:42.800
of royal life, evolving with the times but remaining a

128
00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:46.079
constant point of reflection for both the monarchy and the public.

129
00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:49.680
Queen Elizabeth the Second's reign, which spanned over six decades,

130
00:06:50.079 --> 00:06:52.680
saw dramatic changes in both the world and the Royal family.

131
00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:56.120
Through it all, the Monarch's Christmas Message remained a symbol

132
00:06:56.160 --> 00:07:00.160
of unity, hope, and continuity, serving as a touchtone for

133
00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:03.920
the nation during times of both joy and hardship. Tellus

134
00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:10.839
Intrigue a road back after Queen Elizabeth death and September

135
00:07:10.839 --> 00:07:13.600
of twenty twenty two and Saint Charles' first Christmas Message,

136
00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:16.639
delivered that year, reflected the weight of his new role.

137
00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:19.000
Acknowledging his mother's passing and the grief that the nation

138
00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:22.319
had experienced. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love

139
00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:25.560
and support shown to the Royal family, emphasizing the importance

140
00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:29.519
of community and service. King Charles the Third's address carried

141
00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:32.560
a tone of both humility and solemnity as he reflected

142
00:07:32.600 --> 00:07:35.240
on the values passed down through the monarchy. Much like

143
00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:37.639
his mother, he used the platform of the Christmas Message

144
00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:39.600
to encourage people to come together in its spirit of

145
00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:44.199
kindness and understanding, especially during difficult times. The Royal Christmas

146
00:07:44.240 --> 00:07:46.160
Message has come to represent much more than just a

147
00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:48.839
holiday tradition. It is the symbol of the monarchy's commitment

148
00:07:48.839 --> 00:07:51.319
to the people of the United Kingdom. And the Commonwealth.

149
00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:53.680
It serves as an opportunity for the monarch to address

150
00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:56.360
the nation directly, offering a sense of hope and connection

151
00:07:56.439 --> 00:08:00.160
that transcends political or social divisions. Where the delivered in

152
00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:03.079
times of peace or conflict, the King's Christmas Message remains

153
00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:06.439
a unifying force, reflecting both the challenges and triumphs of

154
00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:09.079
the year past and offering a vision of hope for

155
00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:12.560
the year to come. And there have it. From all

156
00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:14.120
of us here at Pales Intrigue, we wish you were

157
00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:17.839
happy holiday season and mind Francis my thanks to John

158
00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:19.800
mcdermodin Merry Christmas.