The first Christmas Day message by a British monarch was in 1932, when King George V broadcast live from Sandringham. In the speech, which was written by Rudyard Kipling, the King celebrated the power of the wireless to unite all the people of the Empire, and wished them a Happy Christmas
"Awww Prince Louis asked Major Johnny for the Paddington bear drawing that someone in the public gave them so that Catherine could show it to the little girl she was talking to.
The British Royal Family Attend The Christmas Morning Service
Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince Louis of Wales, and Mia Tindall attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on 25 December 2023 in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Princess Margaret with Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, Prince Edward, Viscount Linley and Princess Anne as they leave Liverpool Street Station, London, for Sandringham on board the Royal Train. 30th December 1966 (x)
Rare image of a personal Christmas card from Bertie (then the Duke of York), to an unknown recipient. December 1920.
And a bonus photo of the young Windsor family ice skating and playing hockey at Sandringham in the New Year of 5th January, 1908.
L-R: Prince Henry held by the Windsors’ tutor, Henry Peter Hansell, Prince Edward holding the hand of his mama, Queen Mary (when still Princess of Wales), Prince Albert/Bertie holding onto an unknown(?) attendant, Princess Mary, papa George V (when still Prince of Wales).
Have a very merry festive season, whatever you celebrate, and a joyful New Year! Thank you if you’ve stumbled across this new, George VI-crazy corner of Tumblr. I don’t know where I’m going with this, but it’s probably only going to get more bizarre as time goes by :)