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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