The 2001 Broadcast

Location: Buckingham Palace

Produced by:  ITN

Theme:  Christmas 2001 took place in the shadow of the events of 11th September, and the world was still stunned by the chilling new form of terrorism which had emerged that day.  It had also been a year in which Britain and other parts of the globe had been at the mercy of forces of nature.  Elizabeth II's message therefore takes on a serious tone as she reflects on disasters, both natural and man-made. Her Majesty recalls the floods and foot-and-mouth outbreak in sheep and cattle that had hit the UK, as well as droughts and famine elsewhere.  However, the Queen points out that it was the intentionally destructive atrocities in the United States in September that appalled people most.  The Queen observes that it is at times of tragedy (as well as at times of celebration) that we look to the Church to bring us together as a nation , and she talks of the importance of faith in sustaining us.  On a positive note, the Queen reflects on the unifying importance of communities in giving help, support and a sense of belonging in difficult times.

Commentary:  ITN resumed production on what the Queen herself observed was her fiftieth Christmas message.  However, in many respects the broadcast is visually so similar to the BBC's production of the previous year that one could be forgiven for assuming that it was made by the same team.  The broadcast maintains the good elements of the 2000 production, but thankfully does not repeat some of the quirkier gimmickry.  Her Majesty begins her speech while standing at a window, and is later seated on a sofa, just as a year earlier.  This transition tastefully occurs while footage is being shown of the memorial services for the victims of the 11th September atrocities which the Queen attended, at St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.  The room used has a cosy quality which allows for a pleasant 'at home with the Queen' effect, and is not one of the grander state rooms of Buckingham Palace - the sofa looks decidedly more 'Ikea' than 'Regency'!  This is a rarely seen room at the Palace and the publicity of the time did not appear to identify it, but looking at its location with regard to the window, it looks as though it forms part of the guest suite on the iconic East Wing.  A nice touch is a neatly-stacked dish of chocolate truffles on the table at the side of the sofa.  One can imagine Elizabeth II putting her feet up here, watching television or doing the crossword, even if in reality she does not!

The choice of this room, overlooking the forecourt of Buckingham Palace, was presumably made to allow for the most pleasing aspect of the broadcast.  At the start, a band of guardsmen play God Save the Queen on the forecourt, and as the music closes the Queen, who appears to have been watching, turns away from the window and looks towards the camera.

The broadcast ends with images of people singing Christmas carols to the Queen, followed by footage of the royal family at work over the past year accompanied by the carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

Trivia:  While this is, as the Queen states, her fiftieth Christmas message, it is only her forty-ninth broadcast.  The 1969 Christmas message was issued in written form, as the behind-the-scenes documentary Royal Family was already being shown on Christmas Day.

The Queen does not mention that she is about to embark upon her Golden Jubilee year, although it is acknowledged by one of the carollers at the end of the broadcast who offers the group's good wishes.

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