Christmas in July Victorian Style! (ep 65)

British History: Royals, Rebels, and Romantics

When Victoria and Albert married in 1840, they consciously set about improving the image of the monarchy. Creating a family Christmas, with children gathered around the tree, was an essential part of this. With their Christmas tree as a centerpiece, the royal family was ready to create a picture-perfect Christmas. In 1848, the Illustrated London News featured a drawing of the royal family celebrating around a decorated Christmas tree. Eager to share the image of family-centered royals, especially at Christmas, Victoria and Albert were happy to have the image published. The popularity of the Christmas tree grew rapidly in Britain after the image appeared.
A few years later, in 1860, an image of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children decorating the tree was featured in Godey’s Lady’s Book. The growing popularity of Christmas and the Christmas tree helped make the royal family seem like a benefit to the British people. Even into the 20th century, images of the young Victoria and Albert decorating the Christmas tree continued to emerge. For example, in the 1910 Life of Queen Victoria for Boys and Girls by Alice Corkran features an image of the young queen and prince consort, with a couple of their young children, decorating the Christmas tree. The image of the royal family celebrating around a Christmas tree became permanently connected with Victoria’s reign.
Like A Christmas Carol, the popularity of A Visit from St. Nicholas helped shape the perception of Christmas and continues to do so today. Likewise, the efforts of Victoria and Albert, supported by economic and technological advances, were essential to the transition of Christmas from a quiet celebration at the beginning of the 19th century to the modern celebration we enjoy today.

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