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

Mar. 15, 2025

Queen Victoria in 1887; an 1848 royal Christmas tree etching.Photo:Alexander Bassano/Spencer Arnold/Getty; Hulton Archive/Getty

Alexander Bassano/Spencer Arnold/Getty; Hulton Archive/Getty

Queen Victoriahas an evergreen connection to 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, tying into how ancient civilizations celebrated the Winter Solstice, according toTexas A&M University. Evergreen plants were used to symbolize 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.An 1848 etching of the royal Christmas tree.Hulton Archive/GettyDespite Christmas being a Christian holiday, the solstice was still celebrated in conjunction with the religious holiday throughout Europe with evergreen trees, especially German Protestants. However, English Puritans rejected the tree on the basis that it didn’t have Biblical roots, according to Texas A&M University.According toCountry Living, the first decorated Christmas tree close to what is popular today originated in 16th-century Germany. Martin Luther is believed to be responsible for decorating the trees with candles in the 1500s.It wasn’t until Queen Victoria’s German roots publicly influenced the English-speaking world. Queen Victoria’s mother, Marie Louise Victoria the Duchess of Kent, was German, along with Queen Victoria’s paternal grandmother.Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!Prince Albert, also German, sent trees to schools and army forts around the holiday season, but the tree trend took off with the help of an 1848 etching which made their tradition public knowledge.The image featuring Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their family celebrating brought the tree to a broader audience. The royal family was pictured gathered around an evergreen tree decorated with candles and hanging ornaments.According to theBBC, they practiced this tradition annually, bringing the tree into Windsor Castle on Christmas Eve. The royal family would also exchange gifts that evening, as per theRoyal Collection Trust.The 2024 Christmas decorations in Windsor Castle.Peter Nicholls/GettyThe drawing was published in theIllustrated London Newsthat year. Soon, their traditions became popularized as families would bring trees indoors — it was previously customary to include a branch or some mistletoe — and decorate them with candles and treats.Trimming Christmas trees caught on quickly, which was no surprise since Queen Victoria was a popular monarch and many thought of her as a trendsetter. Along with the Christmas tree, she alsopopularized the white wedding dress.Charles Dickens, who wroteA Christmas Carolin 1843, wrote the short storyA Christmas Treeseven years later about the beloved decoration.The placement of Christmas trees in public settings became popular in the 20th century 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, as per theNational Park Service. This became the first National Christmas Tree.In 1931,Rockefeller Center in New York Cityheld its first Christmas tree lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season, which has become a yearly tradition broadcast nationally.The 2024 Christmas tree in St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.Peter Nicholls/GettyNow,King Charlescarries on 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.

Queen Victoriahas an evergreen connection to 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, tying into how ancient civilizations celebrated the Winter Solstice, according toTexas A&M University. Evergreen plants were used to symbolize 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.

An 1848 etching of the royal Christmas tree.Hulton Archive/Getty

Hulton Archive/Getty

Despite Christmas being a Christian holiday, the solstice was still celebrated in conjunction with the religious holiday throughout Europe with evergreen trees, especially German Protestants. However, English Puritans rejected the tree on the basis that it didn’t have Biblical roots, according to Texas A&M University.

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

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

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

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

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

According to theBBC, they practiced this tradition annually, bringing the tree into Windsor Castle on Christmas Eve. The royal family would also exchange gifts that evening, as per theRoyal Collection Trust.

The 2024 Christmas decorations in Windsor Castle.Peter Nicholls/Getty

Peter Nicholls/Getty

The drawing was published in theIllustrated London Newsthat year. Soon, their traditions became popularized as families would bring trees indoors — it was previously customary to include a branch or some mistletoe — and decorate them with candles and treats.

Trimming Christmas trees caught on quickly, which was no surprise since Queen Victoria was a popular monarch and many thought of her as a trendsetter. Along with the Christmas tree, she alsopopularized the white wedding dress.

Charles Dickens, who wroteA Christmas Carolin 1843, wrote the short storyA Christmas Treeseven years later about the beloved decoration.

The placement of Christmas trees in public settings became popular in the 20th century 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, as per theNational Park Service. This became the first National Christmas Tree.

In 1931,Rockefeller Center in New York Cityheld its first Christmas tree lighting ceremony to kick off the holiday season, which has become a yearly tradition broadcast nationally.

The 2024 Christmas tree in St. George’s Hall in Windsor Castle.Peter Nicholls/Getty

Now,King Charlescarries on 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.

source: people.com