Through the ages, the Royal Family has been responsible for setting many festive trends that have captured the public’s imagination. The Christmas tree is one iconic tradition that reportedly found its roots in the UK thanks to Queen Charlotte, the wife of King George III.
While it did not become the iconic sensation it is today until Queen Victoria’s reign, the Royal Family are often credited with making it an accessible trend. Even though the practice of bringing trees into the house and decorating them with candles and sweets is believed to date back to the 16th century, it was only because of the Royal Family’s German links that it became mainstream.
Despite not being updated since King Charles’ accession, The Royal Family website explains: “Queen Charlotte, consort of George III, is thought to have introduced the Christmas tree to the Royal Family.
“The later enthusiasm of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for the custom helped spread the popularity throughout the country. Today, The Queen and Members of her family, will usually put the final touches on their Christmas tree.”
Reflecting on her childhood, Queen Charlotte cherished memories of adorning single yew branches and exchanging gifts laid beneath them. This was a personal tradition she gladly transported over to England upon her marriage to King George III back in 1761.
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Queen Charlotte is thought to have introduced the tradition from Germany (
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It wasn’t until the Christmas of 1800 that Queen Charlotte is believed to have fully adorned a tree, setting up a yew at Queen’s Lodge for a children’s party at Windsor Castle. Initially, it was just the aristocracy who emulated the courtly Christmas display for their offspring, with the wider British populace remaining largely in the dark about the festive tree.
However, as fascination with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s family life grew, so did media coverage on Christmas trees, culminating in an 1848 Illustrated London News feature showing the Royal couple with their children around a tree. This spurred the middle classes to follow suit, and by the late 1850s, the Christmas tree had become a staple of seasonal celebrations.
The Royal pair were passionate about Christmas and actively promoted their holiday customs across the nation. Prince Albert made it a tradition to donate trees from Royal lands to schools and military barracks each year.
Royal commentator Robert Jobson told The Express in 2021 how this Germanic tradition persists, noting: “On Christmas Eve when all the clan are together, the Queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren put the finishing touches to the 20ft Christmas tree in the White Drawing Room.”
“Presents will be opened that day at tea time as the royals still keep to the German practice of opening their gifts on Christmas Eve. Gifts are laid out in the Red Drawing Room on a white linen-covered trestle table, with cards marking exactly where the piles of gifts should be put.”
“Once everyone has arrived, the Royal guests enjoy a traditional Christmas that includes putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree and the giving of cheap and humorous gifts.”
