The 2013 Broadcast

Location:  Buckingham Palace

Produced by:  BBC

Theme:  The theme of the 2013 message is reflection.  Her Majesty speaks of the importance of finding the right balance 'between action and reflection', remarking that Christmas is often a time to pause and take stock, whether it be contemplating our lives or a spiritual renewal of faith.  In a year which saw the sixtieth anniversary of her coronation, the Queen observes that she herself had cause to reflect on her vow of service.  However, the Queen states that reflection is not only about looking back, but also looking forward, and she looks ahead to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and also comments on the birth and christening of Prince George in 2013:  'Here at home my own family is a little larger this Christmas'.

Commentary:  After five long years, production returned to the BBC, who for sixty years had enjoyed the monopoly of the broadcast.  There is no attempt in the 2013 production to emulate Sky's visual spectacular of the previous year;  to try would probably have proved futile, given the 'one off' nature of the Diamond Jubilee year.  Instead, the BBC goes for a classic look, and for the first time since 2002 Her Majesty delivers her message from a seated position.   The Queen speaks from the Blue Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace, sitting in a chair at the side of a small table on which stands photographs of her parents, as well as  the 'four generations' photograph from Prince George's christening.

2013 witnessed the rare event of the birth of a direct heir to the British throne, and exclusive behind the scenes footage  from Prince George's christening is shown during the broadcast.

The broadcast ends with footage of the bands of the Coldstream and Irish guards playing the carol 'The First Nowell' in the quadrangle of Buckingham Palace.

Notes:

It is likely that, despite being stuffed with turkey, pudding and a glass or two of something slightly stronger than orange juice, the attention of millions of viewers was grabbed by Her Majesty's unlikely opening words 'I once knew someone who spent a year in a plaster cast'.  It has been speculated that the man she was talking about was former British prime minister Sir Alec Douglas-Home, a long-time friend of the royal family who had been a childhood friend of the Queen Mother.  As a young man, Home had been forced to spend a year in a full body cast as part of the gruelling treatment of the time for spinal tuberculosis.  Home later famously renounced his peerage to enable him to become prime minister in 1963 and, according to convention, become a member of the House of Commons.

Trivia: 

The yellow dress worn by Elizabeth II during the broadcast, designed by Angela Kelly, was previously worn by her at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011.

The brooch Her Majesty wears was a gift from her parents, celebrating the birth of Prince Charles in 1948.

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