“I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all”. 

These words, spoken on 25 December 1932 by King George V from a small office at Sandringham, marked the beginning of a tradition which, to many, has become an integral part of the yuletide festivities – the Christmas Broadcast.

Since that time, a Christmas Day message has been delivered by the monarch to the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth almost every year. 

This December, The Queen delivers the 56th Christmas Broadcast of her reign. 

As is traditional, Her Majesty will celebrate Christmas with The Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family at Sandringham House in Norfolk.

December’s Focus looks back at Royal Christmases past and present.

View the Christmas gallery

Read The Queen’s 2007 Christmas Broadcast