Location: Buckingham Palace
Produced by: BBC
Theme: 1991 had seen the election of Boris Yeltsin as the first democratically elected president of Russia; the end of the Soviet Union consequently marking the final collapse of communism in Eastern Europe which had begun in 1989. The importance of freedom and democracy is therefore the major theme of Elizabeth II's speech. The Queen observes how the beginning of her own reign in 1952 coincided with the start of the 'Cold War' and how the tensions between East and West built up in the ensuing years, only to change 'quite suddenly' and 'with bewildering speed' following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Her Majesty speaks of how the countries of Eastern Europe have taken their first tentative steps towards democracy, but reflects on how those of us in the West who are used to democracy should not take our freedoms for granted, should reflect on our 'good fortune' and consider whether we can set an example for the newer democracies to follow. One such way, the Queen suggests, is to play a role in our communities, singling out volunteers in various areas for praise. However, the Queen cautions: 'But let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly
of wisdom and we must always be ready to listen and respect other points
of view.'
Elizabeth II ends by acknowledging that 1992 will mark the fortieth anniversary of her Accession to the throne and states that she has tried to follow her father's example and serve 'as best I can'. She ends by giving 'heartfelt thanks' to her subjects for their loyalty in return and gives a concluding pledge: 'I feel the same obligation to you that I felt in 1952. With your prayers, and your help, and with the love and support of my family, I shall try to serve you in the years to come.'
Commentary: This was Elizabeth II's second broadcast of 1991; the Queen had given a short address to the Commonwealth as British troops prepared to take part in the US-led ground offensive in the Gulf War. Her hopes of a swift and successful campaign had been realised, in part thanks to almost unprecedented international co-operation in the liberation of Kuwait, but Her Majesty chose not to return to the subject in her Christmas message.
This could be described as the last of the 'old school' Christmas Broadcasts. It would be seven long years before production returned to its default home of Buckingham Palace and when it did the Regency Room, the familiar surroundings for more than twenty years, would not be seen again until 2016, twenty-five years later, as changes in style and technology led to a desire to make use of some of the more grand rooms in the Palace. Production values are, in fact, rather basic here. There is none of the subtle, twinkling, 'Christmassy' lighting which had characterised David Attenborough's previous productions; the Queen sits behind her desk in front of a window in daylight and delivers an uninterrupted narrative. Other than the presence of the by now obligatory Christmas tree there is little to distinguish this from any production since the beginning of the colour television age.
Trivia: Elizabeth II's transition to her natural hair colour was by now complete. The slow transformation first became noticeable in 1988 and (to the keen-eyed viewer) the change in its later stages can be observed throughout the BBC's Elizabeth R documentary, broadcast in early 1992.
Elizabeth II ends by acknowledging that 1992 will mark the fortieth anniversary of her Accession to the throne and states that she has tried to follow her father's example and serve 'as best I can'. She ends by giving 'heartfelt thanks' to her subjects for their loyalty in return and gives a concluding pledge: 'I feel the same obligation to you that I felt in 1952. With your prayers, and your help, and with the love and support of my family, I shall try to serve you in the years to come.'
Commentary: This was Elizabeth II's second broadcast of 1991; the Queen had given a short address to the Commonwealth as British troops prepared to take part in the US-led ground offensive in the Gulf War. Her hopes of a swift and successful campaign had been realised, in part thanks to almost unprecedented international co-operation in the liberation of Kuwait, but Her Majesty chose not to return to the subject in her Christmas message.
This could be described as the last of the 'old school' Christmas Broadcasts. It would be seven long years before production returned to its default home of Buckingham Palace and when it did the Regency Room, the familiar surroundings for more than twenty years, would not be seen again until 2016, twenty-five years later, as changes in style and technology led to a desire to make use of some of the more grand rooms in the Palace. Production values are, in fact, rather basic here. There is none of the subtle, twinkling, 'Christmassy' lighting which had characterised David Attenborough's previous productions; the Queen sits behind her desk in front of a window in daylight and delivers an uninterrupted narrative. Other than the presence of the by now obligatory Christmas tree there is little to distinguish this from any production since the beginning of the colour television age.
This was the first time that the Queen wore spectacles to deliver her Christmas Message.
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