Royal Family celebrating Christmas through the years: Photos

December 23, 2019 - 09:57 GMT hellomagazine.com

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It's the most wonderful time of the year, with the most magical photos to boot! As we gear up for the holiday season, we're reminiscing on Royal Family Christmases. From 1944 all the way up to 2017, the holiday season has always made for some incredible Kodak moments – from the Queen's first-ever televised Christmas address and performance of Aladdin with little sister Princess Margaret to the Duchess of Sussex's Sandringham debut.

Click through to see all the best royal Christmas photos through the ages...

Photo: © Getty Images

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1943

Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth, both in costume, smiled for the camera during a royal pantomime production of "Aladdin" at Windsor Castle on Dec. 15.

Photo: © Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images

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1944

On Dec. 23, a young Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret posed during a beach scene with actors and actresses in "Old Mother Red Riding Boots," a pantomime that was playing at Windsor Castle.

Photo: © Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images

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1952

Making history, Queen Elizabeth II made her first-ever Christmas broadcast to the nation from Sandringham House.

Photo: © Fox Photos/Getty Images

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1953

Her Majesty and Prince Philip arrived at Government House after attending a youth rally in Auckland, New Zealand, during their coronation world tour. On this year, she delivered her Christmas message from Down Under.

Photo: © Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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1957

The Queen showed off her megawatt smile just before the end of her first televised Christmas Day speech to the nation.

Photo: © Keystone/Getty Images

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1969

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip took a look at their decorated Christmas tree during the filming of a television special exploring their life in the British Royal Family.

Photo: © Fox Photos/Getty Images

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1971

Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Queen Elizabeth II looked through at a photo album.

Photo: © Hulton Archive/Getty Images

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1982

Princess Diana and Prince Charles posed with baby Prince William during the Christmas season at Kensington Palace.

Photo: © Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

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1988

Six-year-old Prince William enjoyed Christmas Day At Sandringham. The young royal looked smart in a maroon coat, blue shirt and tie.

Photo: © Tim Graham/Getty Images

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1988

Prince Harry, 4, dressed as a shepherd for his school's Christmas play.

Photo by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images

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1992

The Princess of Wales – a patron of Headway, the National Head Injuries Association – attended a lunch hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce. The lucky princess posed between British author and politician Lord Jeffrey Archer and former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Denis Healey, both dressed as Santa Claus.

Photo: © THIERRY SALIOU/AFP/Getty Images

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1993

Princess Diana looked striking in a bright red coat and black netted hat while at Sandringham for the Christmas Day service.

Photo: © Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

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1995

Too cute! The Duchess of York dazzled in red as she held the hands of her daughters, Princesses Beatrice, 7, and Eugenie, 5. The three were enjoying a mother-daughter date attending a pantomime of "Cinderella" in aid of Children in Crisis, of which Sarah is a patron.

Photo: © Tim Graham/Getty Images

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1999

At Sandringham for Christmas, the royal sisters looked sweet as ever in matching outfits, Eugenie in purple and Beatrice in green. The two held armfuls of presents given to them by admirers.

Photo: © Tim Graham/Getty Images

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2001

Prince Edward met backstage with dancers in a Northern Ballet adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" in Surrey.

Photo: © Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

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2004

Dancers from the English National Ballet attended a Christmas tea with the Duke of York, a patron of the dance company.

Photo: © Tim Graham/Getty Images

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2004

Showing off his big heart, Prince Charles chatted with Thomas Willis, a four-year-old battling Leukaemeia, after helping to decorate the Christmas tree at Clarence House.

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2006

The Prince of Wales scored a meeting with Father Christmas ... and gave a tug on his beard for good luck! The future king was at the Not Forgotten Association reception at St James's Palace. The Association acts on behalf of disabled and wounded service and ex-service personnel.

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2012

Prince Harry donned a Christmas hat as he stood outside the VHR (very high readiness) tent at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan's Helmand province. The now dad-to-be said he was "thrilled to be back" in Britain as he returned home after serving a 20-week tour of duty. At the time, Harry was an Apache attack helicopter co-pilot

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2014

The Duchess of Cambridge lent a hand wrapping holiday presents during a visit to the Northside Centre for Child Development in New York City. She and Prince William were on an official three-day visit to New York and later met then-US President Barack Obama in Washington D.C.

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2016

Prince William was deep in concentration while decorating a a gingerbread house during a visit to a Christmas party for volunteers at The Mix youth service in London. The charitable organization works with the Heads Together campaign.

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2017

Prince George had handwritten a letter to Santa and it’s adorable! His dad Prince William was able to deliver the letter to Father Christmas in person, and what did the little prince ask for? A police car! George, four, also circled that he had been "nice" this year in the line that read: "Dear Father Christmas, this year I have been naughty/nice." Prince William was on an official visit to Finland when he bumped into Santa, and grabbed the opportunity to hand him the letter.

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2017

This year marked Duchess Meghan's first Christmas with the Royal Family as the future Duchess of Sussex. She attended the Christmas Day services at Sandringham along with Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince William, Prince Philip, Duchess Kate, and her then-future-husband Prince Harry. Fans were delighted to see her curtsy to the Queen for the very first time!

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2019

A pregnant Duchess Meghan walked to church arm-in-arm with Prince Harry and was joined by Duchess Kate and Prince William in the process! Royal watchers loved seeing the "Fab Four" out at Sandringham together!