The British Tradition of the Christmas Message
By Lorraine Ryall
Associate Broker, CDPE, CSSN, CNE
KOR Properties
Tis the season to be jolly, and my favorite time of the year. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who reads my articles and all my wonderful clients.
Since it’s the holiday season, there will only be a quick update on the real estate market and then some fun facts about some English traditions.
The Royal Christmas Message
Growing up in England we would always stop whatever we were doing to watch the Queen’s Christmas message and I love the fact that it is as popular today as it was back then.
The Queen’s Christmas message – now the King’s Christmas message – is always one of the most-watched programs on TV on Christmas Day. The tradition was started in 1932 by King George V, when he delivered the first address over the radio in 1932. George V’s first message was written by English writer Rudyard Kipling and transmitted live from a studio that was created for him at Sandringham estate.
The tradition carried on, and in 1957, the Queen gave the first televised Christmas speech. The message typically combines a chronicle of that year’s major events, with a specific focus on the Commonwealth of Nations, and with the sovereign’s own personal milestones and feelings on Christmas.
Last year, King Charles II gave the annual Christmas address, his first since ascending the throne after the Queen’s death on Sept. 8, 2022. It was the most watched address by a monarch on record.
Some 10.6 million tuned in for the eight-minute broadcast, which was the most watched program on Dec. 25. The King addressed the nation from St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle where the service for his mother was held earlier this year.
Christmas Cards
The custom of sending Christmas cards was started in the UK in 1843 by Sire Henry Cole. He was a senior civil servant (Government worker) who had helped set up the new Public Record Office (now called the Post Office). Sir Henry had the idea of Christmas Cards with his friend John Worsley, who was an artist. They designed the first card and sold them for 1 shilling.
Recipe – Breakfast Casserole
A family tradition that was started here in the U.S. with my husband is to make the breakfast casserole on Christmas Eve. Then we just pop it in the oven on Christmas morning to bake while we open presents. This is Rick’s family’s recipe that has been passed down and the best part of all is that Rick always makes it.
½ lb. sausage browned (we use hot Jimmy Dean to add some flavor)
9 eggs — lightly beaten
3 cups half and half (we use equal portions of skimmed milk and half and half and can’t tell the difference)
1 tsp salt
1 ½ lbs. cheddar cheese
Butter
10 slices bread, crusts removed or enough to cover the bottom of the pan
Butter one side of the bread and put butter side down in a 9×13 baking dish.
Mix eggs and milk mixture, add salt.
Layer sausage and cheese twice on top of bread then pour eggs and milk mixture over. Top with a layer of cheese.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Lorraine is a Multi-Million Dollar producing agent, has been a full-time Realtor for over 14 years, is an Associate Broker of KOR Properties, a Certified Negotiation Specialist, and is on the Professional Standards Board. You can reach Lorraine at (602) 571-6799.