The Christmas Tree’s Royal Roots: How Queen Victoria Popularized This Holiday Staple

Queen Victoria has an evergreen relationship with the Christmas tree.

The holiday decoration staple, which is ubiquitous this time of year, has royal roots that many may not know about—Queen Victoria helped popularize the Christmas tree during her reign.

The Christmas tree originally dates back to before Christmas, linking to how ancient civilizations celebrated the winter solstice, according to Texas A&M University. Evergreen plants were used as a symbol of light in the darkest period 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.

Etching of the royal Christmas tree from 1848.

Hulton Archive/Getty

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Despite Christmas being a Christian holiday, the solstice was still celebrated along with the religious holiday across Europe with evergreen trees, especially by German Protestants. However, English Puritans rejected the tree on the grounds that it had no biblical roots, according to Texas A&M University.

According to Life in the countrysidethe first decorated Christmas tree close to what is popular today originated in Germany in the 16th century. Martin Luther is believed to be responsible for decorating trees with candles in the 1500s.

It was not until Queen Victoria’s German roots publicly influenced the English-speaking world. Queen Victoria’s mother, Marie Louise Victoria, Duchess of Kent, was German, as was Queen Victoria’s paternal grandmother.

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Prince Albert, also German, sent trees to schools and military forts during the holiday season, but the tree trend took off with the help of an 1848 etching that made their tradition public knowledge.

The image of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their family celebrating brought the tree to a wider audience. The royal family is pictured gathered around an evergreen tree decorated with candles and hanging ornaments.

According to the BBC, they practiced this tradition every year, bringing the tree to Windsor Castle on Christmas Eve. The royal family would also exchange gifts that evening, according to the Royal Collection Trust.

Royal staff pose for a photo next to a decorated Christmas tree at Windsor Castle on November 21, 2024 in Windsor

Christmas decorations 2024 at Windsor Castle.

Peter Nicholls/Getty

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The drawing was published in Illustrated London News that year. Soon, their traditions became popular as families brought the trees inside – previously it was customary to include a branch or some mistletoe – and decorate them with candles and treats.

Cutting Christmas trees quickly caught on, which was no surprise as Queen Victoria was a popular monarch and many considered her a trendsetter. Along with the Christmas tree, she also popularized the white wedding dress.

Charles Dickens, who wrote Christmas carol In 1843 he wrote a short story Christmas tree seven years later about the beloved decoration.

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Placing Christmas trees in public spaces became popular in the 20th century and continued into the 21st century.

In 1923, First Lady Grace Coolidge gave her blessing to the District of Columbia Public Schools to place a Christmas tree on the South Lawn of the White House, according to the National Park Service. This became the first national Christmas tree.

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In 1931, Rockefeller Center in New York City held its first Christmas tree lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season, which has become an annual tradition carried across the country.

Royal staff pose for a photograph next to a decorated Christmas tree at Windsor Castle on November 21, 2024 in Windsor,

Christmas tree in 2024 in St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.

Peter Nicholls/Getty

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Now, King Charles is continuing the tradition with sustainability in mind. In 2023, he announced that he would plant a live tree again after the holidays.

The tree was decorated with “natural and sustainable decorations” such as pine cones, oranges and paper.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education

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