Location: Buckingham Palace
Produced by: BBC
Theme: Elizabeth II discusses 'the brotherhood of man'. Recalling that Christmas it the time when Christians celebrate the birth of Christ, the Prince Of Peace, the Queen talks of the importance of peace, friendship and co-operation. Her Majesty states that the concept of 'the brotherhood of man' should not remain in the abstract: 'Each of us can put it into practice by treating one another with
kindness and consideration at all times and in spite of every kind of
provocation.'
Commentary: This second colour Broadcast is described by Ingrid Seward as 'arguably one of [the Queen's] most political to date (The Queen's Speech, 2015). At a time which saw early signs of problems in Northern Ireland and industrial unrest in many parts of the United Kingdom, it is not difficult to understand why the Queen thought it important to address serious matters. Though she does it in her customary unifying and non-partisan way, raising these topics still required a considerable amount of delicacy. British prime minister Harold Wilson, sensitive about the devaluation of the pound, took exception to a reference in the original draft to Britain's 'economic difficulties', which was later changed. Similarly, when Her Majesty suggests that 'we should seek to support those international organisations which foster understanding between people and between nations', although well intentioned, such obliqueness runs the risk of being left open to political interpretations.
Buckingham Palace's Bow Room is used for the fifth and final consecutive time. In the age of colour television, greater attention had to be paid to colour co-ordination and the avoidance of clashes; also it is important that the Queen is not seen to be wearing the same colour for two consecutive years! The Bow Room is given its most sumptuous make-over yet; the drapes and carpet are different from the previous year, though the chairs and sofas are apparently the same. The colour scheme gives the impression of a rather stylish, late 1960s west London flat rather than a royal palace; but the antique chairs and table - and of course the ornate gold edging on the walls - give the game away!
The Broadcast begins with images of busy London thoroughfares - Westminster and The Mall - in high summer. Traffic moves busily by as the titles state grandly (albeit in a fashionably sickly yellow) in sequence - "London, 1968...A Christmas Message...To The Peoples of the Commonwealth..." and finally, as Big Ben, surrounded by trees in full leaf chimes 3 o'clock, "...Her Majesty the Queen". Big Ben finishes its chimes; Buckingham Palace appears (also surrounded by trees in full leaf, with traffic breezing by); the camera cuts to the Queen. It is a curious illusion as it is plain for all to see that the opening shots are anything but live; it is hard to imagine central London on Christmas Day afternoon itself looking more different with its deserted roads, grey skies and bare trees. The Palace made no pretence about the Broadcast being anything other than pre-recorded, but it does seem rather odd to give the impression that it was recorded months, rather than only a few days, in advance!
The Queen speaks the entirety of her message in camera view, uninterrupted in these early days of colour by interspersed footage. The camera pans slowly in and out while she speaks before moving in for a dramatic close-up for her closing remarks. Her Majesty is clearly using an autocue, but glances at her script periodically to break the monotony.
At the end of the production, a rousing choral version of God Save the Queen is played while footage is shown of the royal family leaving the service at St George's Chapel, Windsor on Christmas Day the previous year. As the anthem ends we are treated to some audio as the Dean of Windsor, Robin Woods, greets members of the family as they leave. This could be a precursor of the landmark Royal Family documentary which would be shown the following year, although most of what we can hear is the ingratiating manner of the Dean (perhaps a prerequisite of the job when one is in charge of a royal peculiar): 'yes, I saw you were talking to...', the Dean says heartily to the Queen as Her Majesty gesticulates as though hailing a taxi. 'The Lord be with you...and in the New Year!' he says to the Queen Mother, gripping her hand tightly as she descends the last few steps. The programme ends with impressive long shots of Windsor Castle's Round Tower .
Notes:
The first draft of the part of the text that Harold Wilson's Government had objected to read: ' Every individual and every nation have their problems. Some are more pressing than others. Britain is not the only Commonwealth country contending with serious economic difficulties. Fortunately there are others who are enjoying better times, and this is certainly the moment for us all to do our utmost to help each other.' This was later changed to: 'Every individual and every nation have problems, so there is all the more reason for us to do our utmost to show our concern for others.'
Full text here
Buckingham Palace's Bow Room is used for the fifth and final consecutive time. In the age of colour television, greater attention had to be paid to colour co-ordination and the avoidance of clashes; also it is important that the Queen is not seen to be wearing the same colour for two consecutive years! The Bow Room is given its most sumptuous make-over yet; the drapes and carpet are different from the previous year, though the chairs and sofas are apparently the same. The colour scheme gives the impression of a rather stylish, late 1960s west London flat rather than a royal palace; but the antique chairs and table - and of course the ornate gold edging on the walls - give the game away!
The Broadcast begins with images of busy London thoroughfares - Westminster and The Mall - in high summer. Traffic moves busily by as the titles state grandly (albeit in a fashionably sickly yellow) in sequence - "London, 1968...A Christmas Message...To The Peoples of the Commonwealth..." and finally, as Big Ben, surrounded by trees in full leaf chimes 3 o'clock, "...Her Majesty the Queen". Big Ben finishes its chimes; Buckingham Palace appears (also surrounded by trees in full leaf, with traffic breezing by); the camera cuts to the Queen. It is a curious illusion as it is plain for all to see that the opening shots are anything but live; it is hard to imagine central London on Christmas Day afternoon itself looking more different with its deserted roads, grey skies and bare trees. The Palace made no pretence about the Broadcast being anything other than pre-recorded, but it does seem rather odd to give the impression that it was recorded months, rather than only a few days, in advance!
The Queen speaks the entirety of her message in camera view, uninterrupted in these early days of colour by interspersed footage. The camera pans slowly in and out while she speaks before moving in for a dramatic close-up for her closing remarks. Her Majesty is clearly using an autocue, but glances at her script periodically to break the monotony.
At the end of the production, a rousing choral version of God Save the Queen is played while footage is shown of the royal family leaving the service at St George's Chapel, Windsor on Christmas Day the previous year. As the anthem ends we are treated to some audio as the Dean of Windsor, Robin Woods, greets members of the family as they leave. This could be a precursor of the landmark Royal Family documentary which would be shown the following year, although most of what we can hear is the ingratiating manner of the Dean (perhaps a prerequisite of the job when one is in charge of a royal peculiar): 'yes, I saw you were talking to...', the Dean says heartily to the Queen as Her Majesty gesticulates as though hailing a taxi. 'The Lord be with you...and in the New Year!' he says to the Queen Mother, gripping her hand tightly as she descends the last few steps. The programme ends with impressive long shots of Windsor Castle's Round Tower .
Notes:
The first draft of the part of the text that Harold Wilson's Government had objected to read: ' Every individual and every nation have their problems. Some are more pressing than others. Britain is not the only Commonwealth country contending with serious economic difficulties. Fortunately there are others who are enjoying better times, and this is certainly the moment for us all to do our utmost to help each other.' This was later changed to: 'Every individual and every nation have problems, so there is all the more reason for us to do our utmost to show our concern for others.'
Full text here
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