Watch Queen Elizabeth II Christmas Speeches Through the Year
The 1 Way You Can Easily Predict What Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas Speeches Will Include
Christmas time is full of family traditions. For many British families, one of those traditions is sitting in front of the TV together to watch the Royal Christmas Message, which many call "the Queen's speech," on Christmas Day.
The Queen's speech is delivered (unsurprisingly) by Queen Elizabeth II and is largely written by the Queen herself, although she'll often have help on topics from Prince Philip and assistance from her staff as needed. The speech focuses on major events and reflections on the past year, featuring archived footage and recordings to accompany the speech.
However, the speech wasn't always on TV. The Queen delivered her first speech on the radio in 1952. It wasn't until 1957 that it began to be televised. Since then, the Queen has tended to change her surroundings each year, including the Christmas decorations, her clothing, and, most notably, the framed family photos that surround her. These are often the biggest telltale sign as to what she will be reflecting upon in the speech. Take 2014 for example, when photos of George V and Queen Mary were on display as the Queen discussed the centenary of the outbreak of World War 1. In 2017, the display of photos were more up to date, with a framed photo of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and one of Princess Charlotte and Prince George.
If you've got a few hours to spare, you can look back at the Queen's televised Christmas speeches, which offer a unique look back at the history of the UK and the Commonwealth. Keep a look out for those adorable (and often never-before-seen) framed family photos.
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2020
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2019
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2018
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2017
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2016
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2015
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2014
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2013
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2012
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2011
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2010
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2009
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2008
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2007
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2006
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2005
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2004
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2002
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2001
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 2000
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1999
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1998
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1997
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1996
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1995
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1994
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1993
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1992
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1991
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1990
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1989
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1988
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1987
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1986
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1985
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1984
Excerpts of the 1983 and 1982 Queen's Christmas Day Speech
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1974
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1971
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1968
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1963
The Queen's Christmas Day Speech 1957
