A Right Royal Christmas: An Anthology - Softcover

The Crown and Christmas have been closely linked, from King Alfred's proclamation that no Englishman should work on Christmas Day, to the Queen's broadcast. Drawing on the works of historians, diarists and poets, this is a fascinating compendium of yuletide royal stories, from Henry II's frustrated rant that led to Becket s death, to George V crashing through the seat of his favourite chair as he was about to deliver the first Christmas Day speech --The Good Book Guide

Secrets of a Royal Christmas. Who Buys what, Queen Victoria's favourite recipe and the presents our Queen truly loves. A new book reveals all. --Daily Express

The Day the King fell through his chair and other secrets of the Royal Family's Christmas Day. As a focus of Christianity and the family unit, Christmas has particular significance for British kings and queens. In his new book Hugh Douglas traces the holioday's Germanic evolution and gives us an insight into what the Queen might be doing this year. --Sunday Express, International Express

A Right Royal Christmas demonstrates that our present-day festival has much deeper roots than Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who are usually given credit for `inventing' it - with a little help from Charles Dickens, of course. Through princely diaries, letters and journals, and the eyes of outside observers, this anthology eavesdrops on royal festivities over many centuries. From William the Conqueror's Christmas Day coronation; Thomas a Becket's murder; Queen Victoria and Albert's first Christmas tree through to Queen Elizabeth II's visit to the USA during the bicentennial celebrations. This book is packed with extracts from writers, including T.S. Eliot, Robert Graves, Simon Schama, Elizabeth Longford, and many others in this witty and entertaining anthology of royal merry making over the centuries.