King Charles' annual Christmas broadcast will look different to last year, thanks to sustainable decorations serving as his backdrop.
When delivering her 2023 speech, the Queen will stand in front of a tree decorated with "natural and sustainable ornaments," according to Buckingham Palace. Decorations of pinecones and dried oranges are eco-friendly decorations.
After the broadcast, the tree (currently in a pot as a living tree) will be replanted for use next year. Charles has always been a champion of sustainability and eco-friendliness, and the decorations in his Christmas broadcasts are no exception.
According to the Daily Mail, this year's show will also discuss "a wider range of themes".
annual christmas broadcast
The Royal Christmas Speech began as a tradition in 1910 with King George V. The tradition has been broadcast since 1932 when King George V delivered a live radio address from Sandringham. Although his eldest son, King Edward VIII, never gave a Christmas Day speech due to his short reign, King George kept up the tradition for much of the time before Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne.
The show first aired on television in 1957, starring the late monarch.
In King Charles' first Christmas broadcast as monarch, he reflected on the loss of his mother earlier that year. "Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost a loved one," he said in 2022. "We feel their absence in every familiar moment of the season and honor them in every cherished tradition."
Other Royal Christmas Traditions
The royal family is known for upholding many traditions, especially during the Christmas season. They usually holidayed at Sandringham, attending mass at St Mary Magdalene Church before returning to the castle.
Prince William and Kate Middleton ate breakfast separately on Christmas morning, according to former royal chef Darren McGrady. The ladies of the royal family enjoyed a light breakfast served to their rooms. Men, meanwhile, opted for something more substantial.
