THE Queen’s Christmas Day speech gives our head of state a chance to reflect on the past year.
The festive season just wouldn’t be the same without this British tradition.
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What time is the Queen’s Christmas Day speech?
The Queen’s Christmas Day speech is on every year at 3 pm.
You can watch it either on BBC One or ITV, Sky One or Sky News at 3pm on December 25, 2020.
It’s also broadcast on BBC Radio Four.
Channel 4 has been providing an alternative Christmas speech since 1993.
What’s the theme of the Queen’s message in 2020?
The theme for this year is yet to be confirmed.
But the speeches usually follow a similar format – the Queen will look back at the biggest events of the past year.
The Queen’s Christmas message is a rare occasion for her to air her views to the public, rather than turning to the government – so in theory, Her Maj can talk about whatever one wants.
The speech is traditionally pre-recorded at Buckingham Palace and usually lasts around 10 minutes, and is followed by the national anthem.
The Queen will undoubtedly focus on the coronavirus pandemic which has placed the UK in lockdown for much of the year.
The virus also affected her own family as it was contracted by her son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William.
The Queen will likely pay tribute to those who have tragically lost their lives, and extend her praise and thanks to the NHS and key workers.
She often refers to her own personal Christian faith as well.
When did the Christmas Day speech start?
The first Christmas Day broadcast was in 1932, by King George V.
His successor King Edward VIII did not make a speech as he abdicated on December 11, 1936 – before Christmas Day.
King George VI made his first Christmas Day speech in 1937 and he made his next to the nation in 1939 after war had broken out.
He spoke live with a message of reassurance to the country.
His last broadcast in 1951 was the first he recorded rather than speaking live.
The Queen gave her first Christmas message via radio in 1952.
The first televised Christmas message aired five years later, and continued every year since, with the exception of 1969 after she decided the royal family “had been on television enough”.
What is the Queen doing for Christmas?
The Queen has revealed she will spend Christmas with Prince Philip at Windsor Castle for the first time in 33 years.
Her Majesty, usually spends the festive season with her whole family at Sandringham but her kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren make up 10 separate households.
Buckingham Palace has confirmed she instead plans to enjoy the day with Prince Philip at Windsor.
This will be the first Christmas away from Sandringham since 1987.
