The holiday season is upon us, and the Christmas tree stands as a beloved decoration. Little did many know that this staple has royal roots. Queen Victoria played a significant role in popularizing the Christmas tree during her reign.

Uncover the Royal Heritage of the Christmas Tree

Ancient Origins of the Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree's history dates back before Christmas itself, intertwining with how ancient civilizations celebrated the Winter Solstice. Evergreen plants symbolized light during the darkest time of the year, winter. In the early 19th century, Ernst Anschütz's German Christmas carol "O Tannenbaum" celebrated the tree's constant presence during the long dark winter. This shows the tree's significance even in early times.During the 16th century in Germany, the first decorated Christmas tree similar to what we know today emerged. Martin Luther is believed to have been responsible for decorating the trees with candles. This early tradition laid the foundation for the modern Christmas tree.

Queen Victoria's Influence

Queen Victoria's German roots had a profound impact on the English-speaking world. Her mother, Marie Louise Victoria the Duchess of Kent, and her paternal grandmother were German. Prince Albert, also German, sent trees to schools and army forts around the holiday season. However, it was an 1848 etching that truly made their tradition public knowledge. The image of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their family gathered around an evergreen tree decorated with candles and hanging ornaments brought the tree to a broader audience. They practiced this tradition annually, bringing the tree into Windsor Castle on Christmas Eve and exchanging gifts.Charles Dickens, who wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843, wrote the short story A Christmas Tree seven years later about this beloved decoration. This further popularized the Christmas tree among the masses.

Modern Christmas Tree Traditions

In the 20th century, the placement of Christmas trees in public settings became popular and continued into the 21st century. In 1923, First Lady Grace Coolidge gave the District of Columbia Public Schools her blessing to place a Christmas tree on the White House's South Lawn, becoming the first National Christmas Tree. In 1931, Rockefeller Center in New York City held its first Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which has become a yearly tradition broadcast nationally.Now, King Charles continues the tradition with sustainability in mind. In 2023, he announced that he would replant the living tree following the holiday season. The tree was decorated with "natural and sustainable decorations" such as pinecones, oranges, and paper.This shows how the Christmas tree has evolved over time, with Queen Victoria's influence playing a crucial role in its popularity and the continuous development of Christmas traditions.