The 1984 Broadcast

Location:  Windsor Castle

Produced by:  BBC

Theme:  Elizabeth II covers topics ranging from the fortieth anniversary of D-Day, to the Commonwealth, to one of her favourite themes over the years, encouraging understanding and mutual learning between the generations.  This latter subject is related to the birth and baptism of the Queen's fourth grandchild, Prince Harry, which had taken place during the year.  Her Majesty concentrates particularly on children and what adults, too, can learn from them: 'We could use some of that sturdy confidence and devastating honesty with which children rescue us from self-doubts and self-delusions. We could borrow that unstinting trust of the child in its parents for our dealings with each other. Above all, we must retain the child's readiness to forgive, with which we are all born and which it is all too easy to lose as we grow older.'

Commentary:   For anyone who has followed Elizabeth II's Christmas broadcasts throughout the years, the chances are that this is a particular favourite.  Visually, the effect is particularly impressive:  the Queen speaks from a desk in the Oak Room of Windsor Castle, with the iconic Round Tower seen through the window standing majestically in the background;  yet the presence of a poinsettia plant and a selection of Christmas cards give a homely feel.  This is Elizabeth II as a monarch and as a woman.

The highlight of this production, however, is the starring role taken by baby Prince Harry, which accounts for much of the later part of the programme.  Harry had been christened at Windsor Castle only a few days earlier, on 21st December.  In an unprecedented four-minute sequence we see specially-shot footage from the christening of the infant son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by a fantasia on the tune of the Christmas carol The First Nowell.  At the start of this sequence, Prince Charles and Princess Diana sit on a sofa with their two children, explaining to a restless two year old Prince William the history of the antique christening robe his baby brother is wearing.  We then see four generations of the royal family walking to the ceremony with a boisterous and lively Prince William, not yet displaying his characteristic shyness, at the head.  Then, afterwards, the Queen is shown explaining to her grandchildren why she has named a puppy 'Dash'.  'Does he bite?' three year old Zara (Princess Anne's daughter) asks.  'No, not yet' the Queen replies, 'but it might after it's finished with you.'  Hilariously, William and Zara then proceed to - literally - run rings around Princess Diana's grandmother Lady Fermoy and a somewhat bemused Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie.  The 84-year old Queen Mother remains majestic as always through all this chaos.

With the next generation of the dynasty safely in place, all was well with the House Of Windsor at the end of 1984; the troubles of the 1990s seemed a long way off.  Elizabeth II herself appears particularly contented and relaxed during this broadcast.  As the Queen signs off with the words 'God bless you and a very happy Christmas to you all - parents and children, grandchildren, and of course, great-grandchildren' Her Majesty breaks into a warm and natural smile which has echoes of her first televised Christmas message in 1957.

Although this was the second time in three years that Windsor Castle had served as the location of the Broadcast, it would be another thirteen long years before production returned here. After several turbulent years for the royal family and in the wake of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, the situation was of course very different in 1997.

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The 1985 Broadcast

Location:  Buckingham Palace

Produced by:  BBC

Theme:  Elizabeth II talks on the subject of news.  While acknowledging that there seems to have been much bad news in 1985 'with a constant stream of reports of plane crashes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and famine', the Queen reminds us that there is a considerable amount of good news amongst the bad: 'Just think of the quiet courage and dedication of the peace-keepers and the rescue workers and all those who work so hard to restore shattered lives and disrupted communities.'  Her Majesty recalls that she is in the fortunate position of being able to meet those who are being honoured for acts of bravery or service to their fellow citizens at Investitures at Buckingham Palace.  The Queen also speaks of good news in industry and commerce which helps generate prosperity.

Commentary:  Seldom have we seen a more 'the Queen at work' look to a Broadcast, with Her Majesty's desk in the Regency Room chaotically cluttered with files, telephones, a radio, the morning newspapers and of course her famous red boxes;  the desk itself is in its usual position and has not been moved as part of creating a convenient 'set' for the cameras.  It is almost as though Elizabeth II took ten minutes out of a particularly busy day to record her speech.  This 'you'll-have-to-take-me-as-you-find-me' look may not be the most aesthetically appealing, but it is probably as authentic as it gets with regard to what the proverbial fly on the wall would see on a normal working day while buzzing around Buckingham Palace.

The 'Queen at work' subtext is underscored with the use of special footage from a Buckingham Palace investiture.  Although primarily present as part of the 'good news' theme of the Message, these images also show Elizabeth II performing her duties as Monarch.  Footage of investitures was quite rare in 1985, since at that time such occasions were not routinely recorded as they are today.

This was to be the final Broadcast produced by Richard Cawston who, sadly, died in 1986.  Cawston's lasting achievement in his fifteen years in charge of production was to guide the Christmas Broadcast through the 'golden age' of television, working with Elizabeth II's slightly dry and camera-conscious broadcasting style to generate a warmth and intimacy between Monarch and viewer, ensuring that the young tradition of the televised Broadcast became an institution;  an established part of the Christmas Day ritual for the average family in the UK and many parts of the Commonwealth.

Trivia:  The aerial footage of Buckingham Palace seen as God Save The Queen is played at the start of the programme was clearly not filmed in December as the trees are still in full leaf.

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The 1986 Broadcast

Location:  Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace

Produced by:  BBC

Theme:   Speaking from the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, Elizabeth II links a Christmas party held at the stables for the children of Palace staff with the story of the first Christmas, and the greater hardship faced by the Holy Family when the baby Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room at the Inn.

Her Majesty observes that despite the humble nature of his birth, Jesus  'was to have a profound influence on the course of history, and on the lives of generations of his followers.'  The Queen notes that although Jesus was fortunate to be born into a loving family, 'we must not forget that there are some children who are victims of ill treatment and neglect' and we should live according to God's message of love.

Commentary:  Following the death of Richard Cawston, Palace officials selected David (not yet Sir David) Attenborough to take over as producer of the Broadcast.  Although best known, of course, for his nature and wildlife documentaries over many decades, Attenbourough also had an experienced record as a producer and administrator for the BBC, rising to the level of controller of BBC Two and later director of programming.  Nevertheless, Attenborough states in his memoirs Life on Air that he was surprised to be asked to take over the Broadcast, but felt he could not refuse the insistent Palace.  Attenborough's approach would be to try new things without compromising the magic and mystique of monarchy:  'My view was that it was a mistake to try and get a chatty, domestic, I'm-just-an-ordinary-person kind of feel.  The whole point in having Royalty is that the Sovereign is not the same as other people...Equally, we ought to be a little more imaginative than simply to ask Her Majesty to sit behind an ormolu-decorated desk.  What we needed was an occasion where the Queen could be properly queenly' (Attenborough, Life On Air, 2002, p.313).

It did not take long for Attenborough to find an opportunity;  when he heard about an annual Christmas party the Queen gave in the Royal Mews for the children of Palace staff he seized upon the relevance of stables to the Christmas story.  The result was one of the most atmospheric and 'Christmassy' Broadcasts of Elizabeth II's reign.

The production begins with scenes of the Queen mingling with guests outside the stables as the children await the appearance of Father Christmas, who subsequently arrives on a horse-drawn sleigh accompanied by two pipers.  We then see Her Majesty inside the Mews talking to a group of children about some of the horses.  A group of carol singers process through the stables singing Away In A Manger before the camera cuts to the Queen who, standing in front of some horses, delivers her speech to camera.  The programme ends with the playing of God Save The Queen, moved from the beginning of the Broadcast to the end, as the Royal Standard flutters in the night breeze.

Trivia:

David Attenborough was pleased and relieved about how smoothly his first production had gone, only to be told by cameraman Philip Bonham Carter that the speech scene needed to be re-shot, thanks to an apparently ventriloquising horse standing behind Her Majesty:  'The Queen was talking to the camera when suddenly I noticed a horse directly behind her head which was curling its lip, showing its teeth and looking as though it was mimicking her words. It also looked as if it was nibbling her ear.' When she learned of why it had been necessary to record a second version, the amused monarch asked to see the original so she could 'share the joke' (Life On Air, p.314).

The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is a working stables dating back to 1825, which trains the Windsor Greys and Cleveland Beys horses used to pull the royal carriages.  It is also the place where State carriages (including the 1762 Gold State Coach used at coronations and jubilees) and vehicles are housed and maintained.

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The 1987 Broadcast

Location:  Buckingham Palace

Produced by:  BBC

Theme:  In the wake of the IRA-orchestrated bombings in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, on Remembrance Sunday 1987 in which eleven people lost their lives, Elizabeth II calls for peace, tolerance and understanding between communities and remembers the innocent victims of violence.  The Queen warns: 'It is only too easy for passionate loyalty to one's own country, race or religion, or even to one's favourite football club, to be corroded into intolerance, bigotry and ultimately into violence';  however, Her Majesty praises Gordon Wilson, who, after his daughter died in the Enniskillen attack, publicly displayed forgiveness towards her killers.  Elizabeth II cites the Commonwealth Day inter-faith Observance at Westminster Abbey, which she attends annually, as an encouraging 'symbol of mutual tolerance'.

In the year of her Ruby Wedding anniversary, Her Majesty also reflects on the passage of time and how age can bring the 'compensations' of experience.  She thanks those who sent good wishes but also alludes to some of the 'darker' letters in her postbag.

Commentary:  After the previous year's foray into the Royal Mews, the Broadcast returns to the more familiar surroundings of the Regency Room.  However, David Attenborough, in his second production, seems determined to put his stamp on the Broadcast and make things a little more - well - 'Christmassy'.  Incredibly, exactly thirty years after Elizabeth II's first televised broadcast, this was the first time that Her Majesty spoke with a Christmas tree in view. Form time to time a vase of Christmas roses or a smattering of cards were visible in previous broadcasts, but until this year a festive look was by no means the norm. This was the first of the cosy, festive corners created in the Regency Room, with subdued lighting and twinkling tree lights, which became the hallmark of the Attenborough productions and would be the 'default look' of the Broadcasts in subsequent years;  from this point on the Queen would always be accompanied by a Christmas tree.

A BBC investigation was launched after contents of the Christmas Message were leaked to the press for the first time in 1987.  It was erroneously reported by six newspapers that the Queen would use her speech to condemn the IRA for the first time, following the Enniskillen bombings.  In fact, Elizabeth II made no mention of the IRA; rather she made a generalised call to all sides for peace.  The leak was ultimately traced to then BBC Royal Correspondent Michael Cole who, thinking he was speaking off the record, discussed contents of the speech at a royal reporters' Christmas lunch.  Cole was subsequently moved from his post.  Cole told the 2015 BBC documentary Cue The Queen:  Celebrating The Christmas Speech, 'Tabloid newspapers can make a front page news story out of only one word;  it was to my profound and everlasting regret that they did.'

Trivia:

If there had been any doubt, it was confirmed in 2015 by former production assistant Carol Golder that the Christmas trees, decorations and even some of the cards on display during the Christmas broadcasts are not the Queen's personal ones but are provided by the production companies, even to the extent of borrowing the party decorations of television and radio personality Terry Wogan!

The photograph at the side of the Queen is of her, then Princess Elizabeth, with Prince Philip on their wedding day in 1947.

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The 1988 Broadcast

Location:  Buckingham Palace

Produced by:  BBC

Theme:  1988 had seen several notable centenary anniversaries and Elizabeth II reflects on some of those she had been involved in - the four hundredth anniversary of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, three hundred years since the 'Glorious Revolution' when William and Mary were invited to take the British throne as co-monarchs after the deposition of King James II and the year-long Bicentennial celebrations in Australia marking the country's two hundredth birthday.  Her Majesty also notes that Christmas is the time when the anniversary of the birth of Christ is remembered.

In an additional message, the Queen recalls three recent tragedies - the Lockerbie air disaster, the Clapham train accident and the Armenian earthquake.

Commentary: By the time of the Lockerbie bombing on 21st December, the Christmas Message had already been recorded.  However, this terrorist atrocity had shocked Britain and the world and it was inconceivable that the Queen would not make reference to it.  An unprecedented decision was taken to record a short audio message in which Her Majesty speaks of widespread 'shock and distress' over the Lockerbie crash and also two other disasters which had occurred in December, the Clapham Junction rail crash on 12th December which had left 35 dead and 500 injured, and the devastating earthquake in Armenia.  The recording, in which the Queen speaks calmly yet movingly, was released on Christmas Eve and broadcast again on Christmas Day after the main message.

The 1988 Bicentenary had inspired a year-long spectacle of pride, excitement and partying amongst the Australian people.  What was rather more of a surprise was how much the four hundredth anniversary of the defeat of Philip II's Armada had captured the public imagination in the United Kingdom, with beacons being lit up and down the country, countless school projects and television documentaries to celebrate the event.  It was therefore natural that Elizabeth II should concentrate on anniversaries in this broadcast.

By now, producer David Attenborough was establishing his cosy, 'Christmassy' corner in the Regency Room of Buckingham Palace. The soft lighting and presence of a Christmas tree are continued from the previous year;  The Queen, for her part, makes notable use of visual material to illustrate her speech, including early prints of Sidney Harbour and pointing out a beautiful Nativity scene from a medieval 'Book of Hours'.

Trivia:

During the recording of the 1988 message, producer David Attenborough 'vetoed'  the Queen's choice of the 'searing acid green dress' she was wearing because he believed it would clash with the wallpaper in the Regency Room.    Her Majesty complied, but was clearly unamused when she re-appeared in a more muted shade: “There is no pleasing you people from the media. I am told by one lot that I have to wear something colourful so I can be seen in a crowd – and then you come along and tell me I have to wear something pale and nondescript.”  When advised that the alternative was to re-paper the room, the horrified monarch replied, 'Re-paper the room!  Have you any idea how much that would cost?'  When assured that this was just a joke, the Queen's response was, 'in that case, it was a very bad one.'

Elizabeth II's slow transition to her natural hair colour, which would not be complete until the early 1990s, was by now becoming apparent.

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The 2015 Broadcast

Location:  Buckingham Palace

Produced by:  ITN

Theme:  As well as reflecting on the tradition of the Christmas tree as a symbol of light and goodwill, Elizabeth II also observes that there have been 'monents of darkness' in 2015 - an allusion to terrorist atrocities such as those in Paris and Tunisia - though she takes heart from words in the Gospel of John, 'The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it'.

Her Majesty also remarks upon celebrations earlier in the year commemorating seventy years since the end of the Second World War which honoured the remaining veterans of that conflict.

The Queen ends by reminding the viewer of Christ's unchanging message, 'not of revenge or violence', but that we should love one another; a message which should not discourage but inspire.

Commentary:  In 2015 Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch in British history, surpassing Queen Victoria's record of 63 years and 216 days.  Her Majesty has remained modest about the achievement, not least because it was only made possible by the early death of her father, King George VI, and does not mention it in her message.  However, the Queen does make references to the birth of her youngest grandchild, Princess Charlotte - 'this year my family has a new member to join in the fun' - and her own forthcoming ninetieth birthday celebrations in 2016:  'I have been warned I may have Happy Birthday sung to me more than once or twice'.

A few days before broadcast it was reported that the 2015 message was set to be Elizabeth II most 'overtly Christian yet'.  While the speech does indeed have the strong Christian framework that has been particularly noticeable in recent years, it is arguable that it is still difficult to top Her Majesty's 2011 message for sheer evangelising zeal.

Production of the broadcast reverted to ITN for the first time since 2010.  The venue chosen is Buckingham Palace's 18th Century Room, the chief reception room of the Belgian Suite, where visiting heads of State stay at the Palace (an obvious choice for the second of ITN's back-to-back production in 2016 would be the Belgian Suite's Carnarvon Room).  The 'set' looks cosy and natural; quite a change from several years of the more grand state rooms being used.  The 'seated' set-up looks a considerable improvement on the previous two years, with the Queen appearing more relaxed and comfortable.  The Christmas tree, only introduced into the broadcasts by David Attenborough in the late 1980s, is particularly prominent in this production as the tradition forms part of Her Majesty's message;  at the start of the broadcast there are some close-up shots of the tree decorations before the camera cuts to the Queen.

The production begins with some sumptuous high definition pictures of the front of Buckingham Palace followed by a montage of stock footage from Elizabeth II's year, accompanied by a soulful rendition of God Save The Queen.  The broadcast ends with the choristers of the Chapel Royal, St. James' Palace singing the carol Away In A Manger in the 18th Century Room.

Trivia:  

Early reports stated that the Queen's Christmas message topped the Christmas Day television ratings in the UK for the second year running, with a combined BBC/ITV audience of 7.5 million.


The distinctive brooch Her Majesty wears during the broadcast is an art deco diamond and aquamarine piece previously owned by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

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The 1989 Broadcast

Location:  Royal Albert Hall, London

Produced by:  BBC

Theme:  In a break with the traditional format, Her Majesty delivers her annual address to an invited audience at a Christmas concert for the Save The Children Fund in the Royal Albert Hall.  Her Majesty takes as her theme the plight of children and the environment, drawing attention to the fact that the future of both are intertwined.  The Queen cites environmental problems such as pollution and the 'greenhouse effect', but states that damage can be reduced if attitudes and behaviours change.  Elizabeth II also invokes Christ's message, "love thy neighbour as thyself" and maintains that the future will be better for today's children, as well as for the planet, if this message is heeded.

Commentary:  As 3pm came on Christmas Day 1989, I watched the television screen with horror as Elizabeth II strolled onto the stage of the Royal Albert Hall wearing a colourful dress which to me made her look like something closely resembling a harlequin:  what's going on?  is this how it is going to be from now on?  why isn't the Queen speaking from her desk at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle?  The important factor that makes the Christmas broadcasts so special and unique - the intimacy of the Queen speaking from her home to the viewer - was missing this year.  There is nothing 'special', I thought, about watching Elizabeth II give a speech to an assembled audience, since we see her do this on the television news regularly.

The 1989 broadcast is now more than a quarter of a century ago, and it can safely be described as a 'one off' and an historical curiosity;  it is therefore possible for traditionalists like me to consider its merits.

It had, in fact, been something of a 'cloak and dagger' operation, with the assembled gathering for the Christmas concert of the Save The Children Fund (of which her daughter, Princess Anne, was patron) having no idea that the Queen would actually speak, let alone give her Christmas message.  Elizabeth II had never before given her Christmas address in front of a public audience and in an attempt to maintain secrecy no reporters were allowed to the concert, only photographers. The Queen's aide Major Sir Michael Parker, who worked with David Attenborough on the production admitted to being 'petrified'; it was certainly a brave project given the partial leak of the Christmas message only two years earlier.

The experiment, however, has problems.   With an emphasis on child poverty and environmentalism (the 'greenhouse effect' was very much a current phrase in 1989), this is one of the most powerful Christmas speeches of the Queen's reign.  However, young children can have a tendency to fidget as well as be aware when they are on camera, and the background movement serves as a distraction that risks lessening the impact of Her Majesty's words.  In addition, with the Queen speaking to a large audience, there is the problem that this year the viewer does not feel that he or she is being addressed directly by the Monarch.

The true joy of this unique Broadcast is the final part.  After finishing her speech the Queen is led away from the stage by her daughter Princess Anne, with her seven-year-old (and somewhat camera-shy) grandson Prince William trailing behind, to a 'question-and-answer' session with some of the children.  It is well known that Elizabeth II does not give interviews, but this is one of the rare instances where she comes pretty close.  So good are some of the questions she is asked that Her Majesty sometimes appears awkward and occasionally a little bemused.  Some of the questions are obvious and predictable; but one is bound to wonder, did the children really come up with all of these questions?  Really?  Or was the influence of a slightly mischievous producer perhaps somewhere in the wings, making the most of this rare opportunity?  One gets the impression that the questions had genuinely not been previously agreed with the Queen.  Some examples:

Question:  'Do you like being the Queen?'
Queen: [cautiously] 'It's a very busy life...'

Question:  'What are you going to buy Prince William for Christmas?'
Queen:  'Well, I don't think I had better say it too loudly, because he might hear me, mightn't he?'

Question:  'Do you enjoy your job as the Queen?'
Queen:  'I find it very interesting, yes;  I've had lots of opportunities to meet people and visit countries.'

Question:  'Do you go to church at Christmas?'
Queen:  'Yes;  we go to church - all of us - on Christmas Day.  We sing some of the carols and Christmas hymns that everybody knows, which is very nice.'

And the final question, revealing Her Majesty's ever-present talent for a diplomatic response:  'Do you believe in Father Christmas?'
Queen:  'Do I believe in Father Christmas?  I like to believe in Father Christmas, yes.'

Trivia:

An amusing story has it that secrecy surrounding the copy of the speech was so tight that even Her Majesty's Private Secretary Sir William Heseltine was refused access to it by the stage manager shortly before it was required to be handed to the Queen.  The speech was eventually passed to Heseltine via royal events organiser Major Sir Michael Parker.

It is sometimes stated that this was the first Christmas message broadcast from a venue other than a royal residence.  While this is technically the case in the television age, it is often forgotten that Elizabeth II broadcast her 1953 radio message from Government House in Auckland, New Zealand;  the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were undertaking a six-month tour of the Commonwealth at the time.

With a running time of a little over eleven minutes, this is one of the longest Christmas broadcasts.  Only the 1999 production is a few seconds longer.

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