The 1848 engraving of the royal family decorating a tree.
HULTON ARCHIVEGETTY IMAGES

It is hard to imagine it today, but in the early 1800’s, Christmas was not the holiday we celebrate today. Although Father Christmas was already part of English folklore, the puritans had pretty much erased Father Christmas as Santa Claus by the 17th century.

But in 1848, an image of the royals around their Christmas tree was published in The Illustrated London News, and, within a few years, the Christmas tree had become part of Christmas for many families. By the 1860s, hundreds of Christmas trees were being sold in Covent Garden.

Initially, they were decorated with colourful barley sugar sweets, gingerbread and little ornaments as well as lit up by candles.

This museum exhibit shows a Christmas tree decorated circa 1850.
Jackie Cane Photography

Although the Queen had grown up with the tradition of decorating a tree at Christmas time, it was Albert who really relished the ritual and took personal responsibility for decorating the tree, even sending decorated trees to schools and army barracks around Windsor.

Going all out, Prince Albert took over an entire room in Windsor Palace with Christmas trees — with one suspended from the ceiling in the center of the room and smaller trees on tables surrounding it, one for each member of the family.

Keeping the tradition alive at the Octagon Dining Room at Windsor Castle

The Queen was enamoured with Christmas as well:

“Christmas, I always look upon as a most dear happy time, also for Albert, who enjoyed it naturally still more in his haphome, which mine, certainly, as a child, was not. It is a pleasure to have this blessed festival associated with one’s happiest days. The very smell of the Christmas Trees of pleasant memories. To think, we have already 2 Children now, & one who already enjoys the sight, — it seems like a dream.” -Entry from Queen Victoria’s journal on 24 December 1841

During the 19th century, handmade presents were the order of the day. Sweets a particular favorite. These and other presents were shared on the evening of Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas Day and were spread out on the table.

Queen Victoria’s Christmas tree at Windsor castle.
Image © Heritage Image Partnership Ltd and Alamy Images

On Christmas Eve, the royal family would join their over 100 servants in the servants' hall to share gifts of books, clothing or food. This act of gratitude was so important to the queen that she did it before she and her family opened their own presents. They would then light the candles and put gingerbread on the tree and the children would be brought in.

Image © Pictorial Press Ltd and Alamy Images

So, while Albert did not introduce the tree to Europe as some believe, it was he and Victoria who popularized it.

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