10 Must Know Facts About The Queen's Christmas Day Speech

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Queen Elizabeth II — Photo by Michael Garnett on Flickr

After feasting on a delicious Christmas Day lunch, many Brits settle down in front of the TV to watch the Queen’s annual Christmas Broadcast. For many households, it’s tradition to hear what Queen Elizabeth has to say to the nation while dozing with their feet up. With the Queen’s Christmas speech only two days away, learn more about this decades old tradition with 10 facts about the famous Christmas Broadcast!

10 facts about the Queen of England’s Christmas Day Speech

George V delivered the first Christmas broadcast to the world in 1932.
Rudyard Kipling – writer of The Jungle Book, wrote the 1932 speech!
But in actual fact, the idea for a Royal Christmas speech was first suggested by Sir John Reith – founder of the BBC.
Queen Elizabeth II made a Christmas speech every year except 1969.
The most people to tune into the Christmas broadcast was 28 million in 1980.
The first televised broadcast took place in 1957.
The Queen’s Christmas Speech is usually filmed at Buckingham Palace but occasionally takes place at Windsor Castle and Sandringham House, Norfolk.
The broadcast is always recorded a few days before Christmas.
The Queen’s Speech addresses global, national and personal events.
Last but not least, the Christmas message is always broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day.

Where to watch the 2014 Christmas Day speech

You can watch the Queen’s Christmas Broadcast at 3pm GMT on BBC One. It’s also available on The Royal Channel, the British monarchy’s official YouTube channel.