King George VI’s Austere Christmas

London, Christmas of 1948. Image from Pinterest

London, Friday (O.S.R.). The King and Queen, who thought they would now be preparing for a strenuous but enjoyable trip to Australia and New Zealand, will have an austerely different Christmas at Buckingham Palace.

It is the first time in their 12-year reign that they will spend Christmas actually in London— instead of at Sandringham, which is King George's birthplace and his favorite family retreat.

The King's illness over shadows the whole family celebration. He is making good progress, but doctors have advised—and the King is a faithful patient — that the greatest degree of immobility is essential for his recovery.

The doctors promise that the King can go to Sandringham early in the New Year, but unquestionably the whole family is disappointed that the traditionally country Christmas will be barred.

Christmas Speech

King George — or as he is known to the family, 'Bertie'—had a great reluctance to broadcast Christmas speeches to the Empire, which his father inaugurated.

Now, with the help of his speech therapist — Adelaide-born Lionel Logue — he has over, come his difficulties and with the positive encouragement of his wife, he has come to enjoy them.

A Palace spokesman said that the Royal Family's Christmas celebration would be quite simple.

Cherished Wines

The King's dinner with his family will include turkeys from his personal Sandringham estate in the great poultry belt of East Anglia.

Cherished wines and liqueurs are likely to include those laid down by Edward VII., a great bon viveur and connoisseur.

Into the dinner also will go the family's rationed meat — roast beef or lamb— as it will go into every English household.  The dinner menu will be completed with unrationed vegetables. Besides common roast potatoes, cabbage and cauliflower, there are likely to be more expensive rarities from Covent Garden market, rarities  which go only to luxury shops and the hotels of London's  West End.

Officially the family will  make its dinner as austere as those which circumstances dictate to its subjects, but personal exuberance will exert itself

An intimate of the family said: “The famiy definitely adheres to the traditional idea  that this is the time of generous goodwill to all –to Britons in their homes, to people of the Commonwealth and the Empire and to friends of Britain the world over.” – The Newscastle Sun, Friday, December 24, 1948.