43 festive photos of Queen Elizabeth celebrating Christmas over the years

Five years after becoming Queen, the monarch makes her annual Christmas Day address to the UK. She holds a copy of The Pilgrim's Progress, which she read a few passages from. Fun fact: This was her very first holiday address that was televised.

A three-year-old Princess Elizabeth holds her grandmother's hand at King's Cross station on December 21, 1929. They were travelling to Sandringham Estate for the Christmas break.

Princess Elizabeth (second child from the right) sings Christmas carols with her family at a public concert in London's Albert Hall. The smaller girl in the photo is her younger sister, Princess Margaret.

Just a few days later, Princess Elizabeth returned to Albert Hall with her family for a reception on 23 December. Here, they're seen walking to their seats in the royal box.

The Queen, Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret, and King George VI pose for cameras at King's Cross station, before departing to Sandringham Estate for the Christmas break.

Just moments later, a town car whisks the royal family away. Inside, Princess Elizabeth waves to spectators.

During World War II, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret were taken to Windsor Castle, while their parents stayed behind in Buckingham Palace. It was there that Margaret proposed putting on a Christmas pantomime. Here, Elizabeth is dressed as Cinderella, as her mother hands her a fan.

Princess Elizabeth spread Christmas cheer even before she took the throne. Here's a festive card she sent to the Grenadier Guards regiment of the British Army.

Princess Elizabeth shines on stage in a flowing white dress, as she performs alongside her sister in their annual Christmas pantomime. This year, the show was Old Mother Red Riding Boots.

Just six months after her coronation, Queen Elizabeth sits by the microphone, paper in hand, to prepare for her very first Christmas address to the nation.

During her first royal tour, Queen Elizabeth made history as the first reigning British monarch to visit Australia. She also stopped in New Zealand, where she made her annual Christmas Day speech via radio from the Government House in Auckland.

While in New Zealand, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip watch from the steps of the Government House as Santa gives out presents.

During that same trip, Queen Elizabeth was spotted leaving New Zealand's Cathedral Church of St. Mary, alongside the Bishop of Auckland, Right Reverend W.J. Simkin.

Even royals deserve to have some Christmas fun. Here, Cyril Bertram Mills—the King of the Modern Circus—greets Queen Elizabeth with flowers, as she attends the Bertram Mills Christmas Circus.

After she took her seat at the circus, Queen Elizabeth enjoyed the show with her husband, Prince Philip, and her sister, Princess Margaret (far right).

The Queen shares a laugh with her daughter, Princess Anne, and son, Prince Charles, in the car, while traveling to Sandringham for Christmas.

Queen Elizabeth sports a salmon suit on the steps of St George's Chapel in Windsor. The royal family stops to greet the clergy as they leave Christmas Day service.

Queen Elizabeth chose this sweet photo of her smiling family on a trip to Norway for her Christmas card in 1969.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip admire their Christmas tree decorations, while filming a documentary about royal life.

Nothing says "Christmas" quite like looking through old family albums. Her Majesty flips through a large book with two of her sons here.

Always a dog lover (especially Corgis), Queen Elizabeth walks her pups through Liverpool Street station. Her four-legged trio was traveling with her to Sandringham for the Christms holidays.

Horses have always been a big part of royal family life. In this picturesque photo, the Queen goes for a ride in the snow during the week of Christmas.

Queen Elizabeth looked as graceful as can be, while exiting St George's Chapel in Windsor on Christmas, sporting a mid-length skirt and lace-covered fascinator.

It was a family affair outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham in 1985. Queen Elizabeth (center) speaks with members of the clergy, while her family watches on. The snowy backdrop only adds to the magical Christmas ambiance.

Queen Elizabeth smiles as she views the ornaments on the tree in Buckingham Palace. Alongside her is fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, who was there for an event for celebrity and amateur embroiderers who made 500 ornaments for the Queen's tree.

While leaving Christmas church service at the Sandringham Estate, Queen Elizabeth and her mother receive flowers from an adorable little girl.

Queen Elizabeth serves as Santa's helper at the Ascot Racecourse, giving out gifts to all the lucky children at the event.

Looking regal in a blue dress, the monarch stands poised as she prepares to deliver her annual Christmas address from Buckingham Palace.

Queen Elizabeth (left) chats with Princess Alice (center) and her sister, Princess Margaret. They were celebrating Alice's 100th birthday, which fell on Christmas.

For the very first time in history, the Queen taped her Christmas message entirely on location outside of a royal residence. Here, she stands in front of tanks at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, as the theme of her address that year was a tribute to the armed services.

In 2003, the Queen didn't let her knee surgery stop her from attending her annual family Christmas service. Pictured, she walks down the church steps with the aid of a handrail and her walking stick.

Purple is the colour of royalty for a reason. For the second year in a row, the monarch donned the color in her Christmas Day message, which in 2004 she taped in the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.

The monarch gives some artistic help to a group of children, while they craft a nativity scene collage at Southwark Cathedral School.

It wouldn't be Christmas without some pudding. The Queen, dressed in a festive coat, visits the Wilkin & Sons factory and tours the Christmas pudding packing area. Later, she debuted a commemorative plaque marking the day.

While leaving Christmas service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, the Queen is gifted flowers by two young girls in Santa costumes.

Looking beautiful in blue, Queen Elizabeth departs a cabinet meeting in London with Foreign Secretary William Hague.

If you think this is nothing more than a sweet portrait of Queen Elizabeth with Prince William and Kate Middleton, look closer. These are actually wax figures that were unveiled at Madame Tussauds Sydney just in time for Christmas.

Three years later, Madame Tussauds amped up the fun for their London Christmas display. This time, the Queen honoured her beloved Corgis on her sweater, William and Kate were doubly stylish, and Prince Harry made his debut.

Queen Elizabeth's smile shines brighter then the Christmas tree behind her in this festive shot. She'd just finished recording her annual holiday message at her desk, filled with family pictures, in the 1844 Room at Buckingham Palace.

The monarch and Prince Philip leave St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on Christmas Day. It was one of the last times they were photographed attending the service together, as he passed away a few years later, in April 2021, at 99 years old.

Her Majesty helps an eight-year-old girl decorate a tree during the special opening of the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London. She was paying a visit to Coram, England's oldest children's charity.

During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Queen Elizabeth thanks volunteers and frontline workers outside of Windsor Castle.

Queen Elizabeth makes her final Christmas Day broadcast, following her death in September. She addressed the public from her desk with a photograph of herself and the late Duke of Edinburgh back in 2007.