The Christmas broadcast is a much loved part of the festive celebrations. And some have marked moments in history. King George VI only reigned for little over fifteen years but he led his subjects through several difficult years. In 1945, he was able to truly celebrate on Christmas Day. 

In 1945, King George made two addresses to his subjects. The first was on VE Day with his address broadcast at 9:00pm. The second was his traditional Christmas Day radio broadcast. 

King George once again recognised the role that the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth played in the Allied victory in the Second World War. He said ”By gigantic efforts and sacrifices a great work has been done, a great evil has been cast from the earth. No peoples have done more to cast it out than you to whom I speak. 

He also spoke directly to the young people listening, a constant thought for him with his two daughters at the forefront of his mind. King George said ”To the younger of you I would say a special word. You have grown up in a world at war, in which your fine spirit of service has been devoted to a single purpose- the overthrow and destruction of our enemies. You have known the world only as a world of strife and fear… Do not judge life by what you have seen of it in the grimness and waste of war… For merriment is the birthright of the young.”

While King George observed in his speech that there was still chaos and uncertainty in this new time of peace, he resolutely celebrated the return of family and friends for Christmas.