The Monarchy Today > Ceremony and symbol > Ceremonies

The Queen makes her Christmas Broadcast in 1978

The Queen delivers her Christmas broadcast in 1978
© Press Association

BROADCASTS

Every year The Queen broadcasts special messages on Christmas Day and Commonwealth Day.

The Christmas Broadcast dates back to 1932, when King George V spoke on the 'wireless' to the Empire from a small office at Sandringham.

The time of the broadcast was 3.00pm, chosen as the best time for reaching most of the countries in the Empire by short waves from the radio transmitters in Britain.

The first broadcast lasted two-and-a-half minutes, and included King George V's reflections on the closer relationships made possible by such wondrous technology.

"To men and women so cut off by the snows, the desert, or the sea, that only voices out of the air can reach them: to those cut off from fuller life by blindness, sickness, or infirmity; and to those who are celebrating this day with their children and grand-children. To all - to each - I wish a Happy Christmas. God Bless You!"

The broadcast made a huge impact on its audience of 20 million, and the tradition has continued almost without interruption ever since.

During the Second World War it played a large part in boosting morale and reinforcing belief in the common cause.

In the following years the broadcasts have continued to offer messages of unity and continuity in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.


	The Queen delivers her Christmas broadcast in 1978 © Press Association BROADCASTS Every year The Queen broadcasts special messages on Christmas Day and Commonwealth Day. The Christmas Broadcast dates back to 1932, when King George V spoke on the 'wireless' to the Empire from a small office at Sandringham. The time of the broadcast was 3.00pm, chosen as the best time for reaching most of the countries in the Empire by short waves from the radio transmitters in Britain. The first broadcast lasted two-and-a-half minutes, and included King George V's reflections on the closer relationships made possible by such wondrous technology. "To men and women so cut off by the snows, the desert, or the sea, that only voices out of the air can reach them: to those cut off from fuller life by blindness, sickness, or infirmity; and to those who are celebrating this day with their children and grand-children. To all - to each - I wish a Happy Christmas. God Bless You!" The broadcast made a huge impact on its audience of 20 million, and the tradition has continued almost without interruption ever since. During the Second World War it played a large part in boosting morale and reinforcing belief in the common cause. In the following years the broadcasts have continued to offer messages of unity and continuity in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.
	The Queen sends a Christmas message to the Commonwealth each year on 25 December. In the United Kingdom the message is broadcast on television at 3pm GMT. Times in Commonwealth countries vary. The Queen's Commonwealth Day message is broadcast on BBC and Commonwealth radio stations. The broadcast has kept pace with modern technology. The Queen began her reign by making her first Christmas speech on live radio in 1952. The first televised message, in 1957, was also live. From 1960, the messages were recorded in advance so that the tapes could be sent across the Commonwealth for transmission at convenient times. From 1999 it has been possible to watch and listen to the broadcast on the World Wide Web. The Commonwealth Day Broadcast has a more recent history. It began in 1965. The message is broadcast on the radio in Britain and other Commonwealth countries and is also read out by the Commonwealth Secretary-General as part of the Commonwealth Observance Service in early March in Westminster Abbey. The Queen A biography of the Head of State The Queen's Christmas Broadcasts Texts of all The Queen's broadcasts from 1952 SUGGESTED LINKS Commonwealth Secretariat