A Royal Christmas
Discover how the Royal Family has celebrated Christmas over the centuries.
Reading time: 4 minutes
From the first appearance of turkey at the table of Henry VIII in the 1540s to the introduction of the Christmas tree in the 18th century, the British monarchy has helped popularise many of the most treasured festive traditions we cherish today. Discover how the Royal Family celebrates the season with glittering gifts, family gatherings and festive decorations.
Did Prince Albert introduce Christmas trees to Britain?
While Prince Albert is often credited with having introduced the Christmas tree to Britain, the tradition arrived earlier. Queen Charlotte, consort of George III, introduced the Christmas tree in the late 18th century, although it was a yew tree rather than a fir that was used. She brought the tradition from her native Germany, where decorating evergreen trees with candles, paper flowers and sweets had been customary since the early 1600s.
It was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who popularised the Christmas tree in Britain. In 1848, an illustration of their family gathered around a decorated tree appeared in the Illustrated London News, inspiring households across the country. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had several Christmas tables displaying Christmas presents and trees decorated with candles and artificial snow. Queen Victoria fondly recorded the moment in her Journal:
My beloved Albert 1st took me to my tree & table, covered by such numberless gifts, really too much, too magnificent.
Queen Victoria's Journal
She also recorded the joy of her children:
The 7 children were then taken to their tree, jumping & shouting with joy over their toys & other presents
Queen Victoria's Journal
Does the Royal Family give each other presents?
Following German tradition, the Royal Family exchanges gifts on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day, a custom dating back to Queen Victoria’s reign.
In 1842, Prince Albert designed a stunning enamel, gold, and jewelled brooch for Queen Victoria. He also created a bracelet featuring miniature portraits of their children, adding a new link as each child turned four. Queen Victoria wrote:
…a lovely enamel of Affie in my bracelet…
Queen Victoria’s Journal, 24 December 1848
Watch our film to discover more about Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s Christmas gifts.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s Christmas gifts Copyright: Royal Collection Enterprises Limited
The tradition of giving exquisite gifts continued into the 20th century. Many pieces by Fabergé were exchanged by the Royal Family at Christmas. On Christmas Eve 1929, King George V received a Fabergé elephant from his wife, Queen Mary, and their children. Made from silver and gold and set with diamonds and rubies, when the clockwork mechanism is wound the elephant walks, swinging its head and trunk. Not to be outdone, for Christmas 1933 Queen Mary received a diamond-studded Fabergé Easter egg from her husband, King George V.
Where does the Royal family celebrate Christmas?
Royal Christmases have long been celebrated at Windsor Castle, dating back to the 12th century. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert spent every one of their Christmases together at the Castle.
Since the reign of King Edward VII, many royal Christmases have been spent at Sandringham House in Norfolk. The lake at Sandringham froze in the winter of 1907-8, and over the festive period the Prince of Wales, later King George V, enjoyed skating with his family.
Royal Christmas Cards
The first Christmas card was sent in 1843, and the Royal Family was quick to adopt the tradition. Many of the earliest cards in the Royal Collection were made by Queen Victoria’s children to be given to their parents and extended family. The more established tradition of sending good wishes at New Year was also popular within Queen Victoria's family.
Later, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, later The Queen Mother, began sending cards featuring their favourite family photograph of the year, a tradition continued by Queen Elizabeth II.
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The Royal Christmas message
Every Christmas Day the monarch sends the country and Commonwealth a special Christmas message. The first Christmas Broadcast was delivered by King George V via radio in 1932 and since then has evolved into an important part of the Christmas Day celebrations for many in Britain and around the world.
In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II made her first live televised Christmas broadcast from Sandringham House. The tradition continues today with The King’s Christmas Broadcast.
Christmas at the Royal Palaces Today
Each festive season Windsor Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh are transformed for Christmas for visitors to enjoy. At Windsor, St George’s Hall features an impressive tree, while the Palace of Holyroodhouse is adorned with seasonal decorations, offering visitors a truly royal Christmas experience.
