A Royal Christmas
By: Jeremy Archer
A Royal Christmas is a Christmas pudding of a book, full of silver threepenny pieces.
Organised thematically, it covers such topics as Christmas and conflict in the 20th century, Christmas pastimes, festive feasts, Christmas and the Commonwealth, and many more, it looks at the many ways in which the Royal Family have celebrated Christmas through the ages.
Jeremy Archer has delved into the royal archives to uncover the personal thoughts of many royals during the Christmas period. What comes over most strongly from Queen Victoria’s journals is the importance of family: the joys they shared, the trials they endured, and the carefully selected gifts they exchanged. Although there is much happiness, tragedy is a common bed-fellow, particularly in earlier times. And conflict is seldom very far away. But this is a celebration – both of an enduring festive season and an extraordinary family.
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This is a book for Christmas-loving Royalists … a veritable hotchpotch of vignettes: many of them charming and some of them moving.
- Ysenda Maxtone Graham, The Spectator -
Jeremy Archer has an eye for an anecdote and a clever way of arranging his material. The result is like an enormous bran tub: dip in, and you’re sure to find something to keep you entertained until it’s time to turn on the television for the Queen.
- Kathryn Hughes, The Mail on Sunday -
An easy to read treat for royal enthusiasts, skilfully assembled to highlight significant episodes in our history from the comic to the tragic … informative and enjoyable
- Sarah Bradford -
Jeremy Archer takes Christmas as his springboard and thus, in a series of fascinating vignettes, he brings to life many varied members of the Royal Family over two centuries.
- Hugo Vickers -
Twelve foot snowmen, embarrassing relatives and festive propaganda: A Royal Christmas explores the Yuletide traditions of the monarchy.
- Harry Mount, The Telegraph
