Queen Elizabeth Skipped Her Christmas Speech Only Once in Her 70-Year Reign Over a Bizarre Reason

The late Queen Elizabeth, known for her stoic sense of duty, always addressed her nation during Christmas. However, in 1969, she broke tradition and chose not to deliver one. The decision followed a documentary that drew criticism for revealing too much of the monarchy. In response, the Queen acknowledged Christmas that year with a written speech rather than a televised one.

As reported by The Royal Central, a documentary called The Royal Family, which followed the Queen, Prince Philip, and their four children, offered an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at their lives. Intended to boost support for the monarchy and make them more relatable, it ended up giving the public what many felt was too much access, drawing sharp criticism in the press. In response, the Queen opted to forgo her 1969 Christmas broadcast, feeling the public had already seen enough of her on TV that year.

The documentary was one of the rare moments when Queen Elizabeth bore the brunt of the public’s wrath. As reported by the Daily Express, Her Late Majesty said during her speech, “I have received a great number of kind letters and messages of regard and concern about this year’s break with the usual broadcast at Christmas and I want you all to know that my good wishes are no less warm and personal because they come to you in a different form.” She added, “At this time, our concern is particularly for the lonely, the sick, and the elderly. I hope they will all feel the warmth and comfort of companionship and that all of you will enjoy a very happy Christmas with your families and friends. God bless you all.”

Fast forward to 2019, another of the Queen’s Christmas speeches made headlines—this time not for her words, but for the subtle shade aimed at a family member. In 2019, she decided not to have a photo of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their newborn son Archie in her background. She did, however, include a photo of Prince William and his family, her son King Charles and his wife Camilla, and her husband, Prince Philip. Royal expert Tina Brown claimed to the Daily Mail that Harry and Markle's photo had been “excised as skillfully as Stalin would have done to an apparatchik out of favor.” As reported by the outlet, another source added that the Queen had pointed at the framed image of the Sussexes and said, “That one, I suppose we don't need that one.”

The late Queen continued her annual Christmas broadcasts until her passing in September 2022. Her final televised speech aired in 2021, nine months before her death. Her son, King Charles, now carries on the tradition started by his great-grandfather, King George V. However, Charles broke from royal tradition by filming his first speech in a chapel rather than in one of the royal palaces.