We’d like to wish all our Royal Life readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and thank you for all your support over what can only be described as a very challenging 2020.
From radio to television, this year the Queen’s Christmas Broadcast will also be available via Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa. Amazon Echo owners can tune in to the Queen’s address on December 25th at 3pm (GMT) by saying: “Alexa, play the Queen’s Christmas Day message.”
You can also view the Queen’s Christmas Broadcast via the BBC, YouTube or by visiting either our Facebook or Twitter page.
To celebrate the holiday season, we’re sharing some fun facts you may not have known about the Royal Family and Christmas…
- The consort of George III, Queen Charlotte, is thought to have introduced the Christmas tree to the Royal Family. But it was the enthusiasm of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for the custom that helped spread the popularity of a Christmas tree throughout the country.
- Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh send around 750 Christmas Cards each year, usually featuring a family photo. The Duke of Edinburgh sends a further 200 Christmas cards to different regiments and organisations close to him.
- The first Christmas Broadcast was delivered in 1932 by George V and since then has evolved into an important part of the Christmas Day celebrations for many in Britain and around the world.
- Continuing the tradition from her father and her grandfather, The Queen also gives Christmas puddings to her staff. About 1500 Christmas puddings, paid for by The Queen, are distributed to staff throughout the Palaces, staff in the Court Post Office and Palace police.
- Each Christmas The Queen donates money to several charities in Windsor, as well as giving Christmas trees each year to Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, St. Giles’ Cathedral, and the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. Churches and schools in the Sandringham area also receive a tree from Her Majesty.
- Her Majesty famously used to do her Christmas shopping at Harrods in London. The iconic store would reportedly stay open after hours just for Her Majesty, so she could shop in peace.
Wishing you and your family a very happy festive season,
The Royal Life Team
