Royal Christmas - speeches, Christmas Day

People were at the heart of the speeches made by European monarchs on Christmas Day 2013.  King Carl XVI Gustaf thanked his fellow Swedes for joining him to mark his 40th anniversary as king in widespread celebrations across the country in September.  But the main part of his fortieth festive message as king was his own personal celebration of the many people he had met when he and Queen Silvia toured Sweden to mark his jubilee.  He talked of the experiences he had had across the country and of the warm and open reputation that Sweden has across Europe and the world.

 

Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden addressed his fellow citizens as their monarch on Christmas Day 2013 for the fortieth time

 

Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands made his maiden monarchical Christmas speech on December 25th 2013 and asked his fellow citizens to help one another to overcome the difficulties that many are now facing.  Like Philippe of the Belgians and Juan Carlos of Spain he mentioned the devastating effect that unemployment and financial worries were having on many.  But he made reference to an African proverb - 'People are people through other people' - and he urged those watching to try to help those around them in an effort to eradicate loneliness.

 

 

Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands delivers his first Christmas message as king on

December 25th 2013

 

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg also dedicated part of his Christmas Day message to the sadness and hardship caused by the current economic difficulties being experienced by many across Europe and referred to the historically high number of people without work in his country.  And he made special mention of the frustrations of many young people who can't find work and have found their lives put on hold.

 

 

Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg spent a long time in his Christmas speech talking about the sadness and frustrations experienced by those looking for work

 

All the European monarchs have spoken of hope in their Christmas messages as well but the focus on the still ever present shadow of economic problems and unemployment in so many of the festive speeches marks a moment in royal history where monarchs made sure their people knew they were thinking of them and aware of the difficulties they faced.

 

 

 

Royal Christmas - the Queen's Christmas Day speech

The Queen's annual Christmas Day message this year was perhaps more low key than in recent years and had a far stronger personal element to it than most.  Elizabeth II reflected on those who are not there to enjoy the celebrations and, in an unusual move, there were close ups of portraits of her parents, George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, as the monarch spoke.  The Queen also encouraged her fellow citizens to take time to reflect and contemplate to get more out of life.

 

Queen Elizabeth II pictured at the time she recorded her annual Christmas Day speech for 2013

 

But with the sure touch of a monarch who has done this kind of thing before, the Queen saved the bit she knew everyone wanted to see until the end.  Prince George of Cambridge was shown in previously private footage taken at his christening.  The little king in waiting sat happily with his mum and then his dad as endless snaps were taken and Kate was given her own starring role with a close up that showed her maternal love and pride beaming across the room towards her little boy.  It was the big 'ah' moment in a speech that veered from the Queen's more traditional path for her messages but it's not every year that a monarch secures her succession into a fourth generation.  If that's not an excuse to ring the changes at Christmas, then nothing is.

Royal Christmas - United Kingdom

The Queen was in festive red for her visit to church on Christmas Day 2013.  Elizabeth II led one of the largest turn outs of royals in recent years to the service at St Mary Magdalene Church although there was one noticeable absence as Prince George, all of five months old, stayed at Sandringham no doubt to peel the spuds and make sure the Brussels sprouts went on in time.  And making the most of a few hours without baby, his mum and dad gave us a rare sight of hand holding in public.  William and Kate aren't the most lovey dovey royal couple ever in front of the cameras but today they strolled to church with fingers locked looking very happy indeed.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge holding hands on their way to Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdelene Church at Sandringham, Norfolk

 

There was one glimpse of George on Christmas Day when the Queen included previously unseen footage of the little prince and his royal relatives posing for photos after his christening in October 2013.  But it will be 2014 at the earliest before we see this future king at the royal Christmas service.

Royal Christmas - the royal speeches, Christmas Eve

King Philippe of the Belgians and King Juan Carlos made their Christmas speeches to their respective countries on Christmas Eve.  For the king of Spain it was a difficult message after another difficult year for both his family and his fellow citizens.  For the new king of the Belgians it was a difficult moment if only because this was the first time that Philippe has addressed his country as its monarch.  And both chose to focus on the economic problems that have made 2013 such a difficult one for so many people.

 

King Philippe of the Belgians addresses his fellow citizens as their monarch for the first time on Christmas Eve 2013

 

Philippe looked nervous in his first Christmas speech but the event was carried off with style and his simple message was filled with warmth and obvious care and consideration.  He spoke of the high level of youth unemployment, the way that poverty had touched on in seven lives this year and of too many people living in isolation.  But the new king tried to bring some hope to the issue by mentioning the huge wave of creativity and energy he and Queen Mathilde had seen on their recent travels through Belgium.  And he thanked his fellow countrymen for the warm welcome and support the had shown him and his consort after their accession to the throne on July 21st 2013.  The abdication of Philippe's father, Albert II, took many people by surprise so it's not clear whether this time last year Philippe thought he would be doing the monarch's traditional Christmas Eve speech.  But either way, there's no doubt this new king has a successful first festive missive under his belt now.

 

 

Philippe, King of the Belgians delivers his first Christmas message under the watchful gaze of Leopold I, the founder of Belgium's monarchy

 

King Juan Carlos of Spain has far more experience of speaking to his people at Christmas and a lot of experience in recent years of talking to them about the financial problems their country is facing and the major criticisms the royal family is taking on as well.  And this year was no different.  Most of the king's speech was devoted to the pain that many of his fellow citizens have endured through high unemployment and very difficult financial circumstances. Juan Carlos also focused on the way that economic problems and unemployment have hit the younger generation and he thanked those who had retired for the way many had become the main financial supports of their families.

 

 

King Juan Carlos of Spain addresses his fellow citizens on Christmas Eve 2013

 

But the most striking part of the king's message this year was his acknowledgement that those in positions of power and importance had let everyone down through poor behavior.  And he promised to restore faith by ensuring that exemplary behavior and transparency were upheld at all times.  And he, too, had personal thanks for his people after a year which has seen him undergo several major operations.  Juan Carlos finished by expressing his gratitude for the kindnesses that had been sent his way in 2013 and emphasized the need for all families to be together at Christmas.

 

 

King Juan Carlos promised to restore faith in the leadership of Spain in his Christmas message at the end of 2013 

Royal Christmas - Norway

The Crown Prince and Princess of Norway got the royal Christmas celebrations under way when they attended a church service in Uvdal with their children on Christmas Eve.  Haakon Magnus, Mette-Marit and the family were in the 19th century church for the ceremony before heading off to their nearby home for Christmas.  A little sprinkling of snow and big smiles added the perfect finishing touch to these festive snaps.

 

Prince Sverre Magnus of Norway comes over all shy greeting the pastor at the church service in Uvdal he attended with his family on Christmas Eve 2013