A look back at Queen Elizabeth II's Christmas messages through the years and how King Charles III has broken from tradition

King Charles III has officially made his second Christmas address as monarch, having ascended the throne in 2022 following Queen Elizabeth II's death.

During last year's broadcast, the King paid homage to his late mother, calling Christmas a "particularly poignant" time for anyone who had lost a loved one.

But eagle-eyed royal watchers have noticed something in his messages that is very much a departure from his mother's tradition.

Watch the video above.

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For almost 70 years, the late Queen greeted the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth every Christmas, and for the 64 annual messages that were televised, there was one thing her constituents could rely on.

Her framed family photos.

The King, however, has chosen to surround himself with Christmas trees for both his messages in lieu of family snaps.

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The royal Christmas tradition began in 1932 with a message delivered by King George V on the radio via the British Broadcasting Corporation's Empire Service.

The first televised Christmas address was broadcast in 1957 and was delivered by the late Queen Elizabeth on the 25th anniversary of the very first message.

At the time Her Majesty had been on the British throne for five years following the death of her father, King George VI.

The Queen delivered a total of 69 Christmas messages, only missing out on the tradition in 1969 when it was decided a printed version would be circulated instead to make way for a documentary about the royal family, which was scheduled to air during the holiday season.

The message was usually filmed at Buckingham Palace but occasionally took place at Windsor Castle or the Queen's home in Norfolk, Sandringham House.

Let's take a look back at Queen Elizabeth's Christmas messages over the years, including her final one in 2021.

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1952

Queen Elizabeth's first message as monarch, delivered via radio, was recorded at the same chair and desk used by her father and grandfather before her.

During this message, Her Majesty spoke of continuing her work to unite the peoples of the Empire while maintaining their ideas.

She also referred to the British Commonwealth and Empire as an "immense union of nations" that was like a family and which "can be a great power for good – a force which I believe can be of immeasurable benefit to all humanity".

1957

Queen Elizabeth recorded the first televised Christmas address in the Long Library at Sandringham House. The image was broadcast in black-and-white. Her Majesty spoke of advancing technology that allowed for this to occur.

"It is inevitable that I should seem a rather remote figure for many of you," she said. "But now, at least for a few minutes, I welcome you to the peace of my own home."

The Queen also used the address to congratulated Ghana and Malaysia on becoming independent.

1967

The Queen's 1967 Christmas message was the first one to be broadcast in colour.

Her Majesty chose a bright yellow frock for the occasion, beginning a tradition of wearing vibrant shades for key appearances.

1974

Queen Elizabeth spoke of sombre events this Christmas, referencing violence in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, famine in Bangladesh and floods in Brisbane, Australia.

"This year, I have opened Parliament four times, in New Zealand, in Australia and twice in the mother of Parliaments in Westminster", she explained, due to two General Elections had taken place that very same year, in February and in October.

"We have never been short of problems, but in the last year everything seems to have happened at once," she said.

"There have been floods and drought and famine: there have been outbreaks of senseless violence. And on top of it all the cost of living continues to rise, everywhere."

1982

1982 marked the 50th anniversary of the first royal Christmas message and the first time Queen Elizabeth delivered it from the library of Windsor Castle.

In it, she referenced the "sea" and British troops serving the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic.

"It is 50 years since the BBC External Service was started and my grandfather King George V made the first Christmas Broadcast from Sandringham," she said.

"In October I was in Brisbane for the Commonwealth Games and then went by sea in BRITANNIA to visit a number of those beautiful Commonwealth island countries in the Pacific."

1992

In a speech at the Guildhall earlier in the year, the Queen had described 1992 as an "annus horribilis" as it was the year a fire destroyed part of Windsor Castle and three of her children's marriages ended.

Princess Anne divorced Captain Mark Phillips, Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson announced their separation and Prince Charles and Princess Diana also confirmed their separation.

In her Christmas speech, she described 1992 as a "sombre year" but expressed hope for 1993.

1997

Once again, technology caught up to the royal household with the Queen's Christmas message shared on the internet. The message was produced by the Independent Television network.

This was the year of Princess Diana's death, the impact of which sent shockwaves through the royal family and lead to criticism of the monarch for failing to publicly expressing her distress at the tragedy.

The Queen spoke of the funeral, her golden wedding anniversary and her trips to Canada, Pakistan and the return of Hong Kong to China.

"This interweaving of joy and woe has been very much brought home to me and my family during the last months," she said.

1999

The Queen chose her Christmas address ahead of the new millennium to reflect on her life and that of the Queen Mother.

She spoke of the "pace of change" and how her earlier years differed from "those of my grandchildren."

At 73, Her Majesty spoke of the fear of people her age feeling "left behind" but urged them to "make sense of the future."

"Winston Churchill, my first prime minister, said that 'the further backward you look, the further forward you see'," she said.

2006

When Queen Elizabeth delivered her 2006 Christmas message, it was also released as a podcast, as the royal family continued to keep up with changing technology.

It was also recorded outside of the royal residences at Southwark Cathedral in London where Her Majesty had met with schoolchildren working on the Nativity.

"I am reminded of a lady of about my age who was asked by an earnest, little granddaughter the other day, 'Granny, can you remember the Stone Age?'

"Whilst that may be going a bit far, the older generation are able to give a sense of context as well as the wisdom of experience which can be invaluable."

2012

London hosted the Olympics in 2012 and the Queen used her Christmas address to thank the "army of volunteers" for making the event possible.

This year, Sky News presented the speech and it was broadcast in 3D.

"Those public-spirited people came forward in the great tradition of all those who devote themselves to keeping others safe, supported and comforted," she said.

2017

The Grenfell Tower Fire and the Manchester Arena terror attack were the focus of the Queen's Christmas message this year but as always, it was a message of hope.

She spoke of visiting victims of the terror attack.

"The patients I met were an example to us all, showing extraordinary bravery and resilience," she said. Of the Grenfell Tower Fire, Her Majesty reflected on the 72 lives lost.

The Queen also spoke of the 60th anniversary since the first televised broadcast.

"Six decades on, the presenter of that broadcaster has 'evolved' somewhat," she said.

2021

This would be Queen Elizabeth's final Christmas address ahead of her death in 2022. This was also the year her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, died.

She spoke of those facing Christmas after the loss of a loved one.

"Although it's a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand why."

"But for me, in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work – from around the country, the Commonwealth and the world."

She ended her final Christmas message by saying: "I wish you all a very happy Christmas."