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Original poster

To think that people under 50 don’t watch the king’s speech on Christmas Day?

296 replies

AlertCat · 18/11/2024 19:48

Just that really. I’ve never watched it because I grew up in a household that wasn’t royalist. I don’t know any friends who make time to watch it. The only person I know who does watch it is my 82-year-old MiL.
So do you watch it? Are you under 50?

OP posts:
TheFlis · 18/11/2024 20:45

Mid 40”s, always watch it and have for years.

Justcallmebebes · 18/11/2024 20:45

Kangarude · 18/11/2024 19:50

I’m over 50 and I don’t watch it. Never watched the Queen’s either

This

Blinky21 · 18/11/2024 20:43

No and I'm under 50 but my mum, who is in her 70s doesn't watch it either

Twoshoesnewshoes · 18/11/2024 20:37

Late 40’s - same as @Flittingaboutagain i used to watch the queen, mainly to see what she was wearing, but not interested in Charles.
However, we do all have to watch it in silence otherwise my DS 25 gets in a huff.

mitogoshigg · 18/11/2024 20:34

I'm over 50 and have never watched it, my parents are in 70's and never watch it - we are aren't even anti royal, we just have no desire to watch a speech written for them

juicelooseabootthishoose · 18/11/2024 20:33

Yes we watch it! Probably started about 40.

Needmorelego · 18/11/2024 20:33

@BananaNirvana it's shown in a 10 minute time slot and I don't think it even takes up the whole 10 minutes.
It's not exactly a massive chunk out of Christmas Day. It's not like you're spending the whole day watching it 😁

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 18/11/2024 20:32

I think I watched 2020 but that's the only one. I'm sure we turned it into a drinking game.

user1471453601 · 18/11/2024 20:31

I'm 74 and I've never watched it.

MereDintofPandiculation · 18/11/2024 20:30

Last time I watched it was about 1958

Flittingaboutagain · 18/11/2024 20:29

I always watched the Queen's speech and am under 50. I have never watched the King's Speech and probably never will because I don't like him.

SpiggingBelgium · 18/11/2024 20:28

Needmorelego · 18/11/2024 20:17

All those saying you've NEVER watched it - did you not as children in the 80s watch "The Big Film" that was on at 3.10? BBC1 and ITV would always have a premier showing of a big blockbuster film. Back then it you missed a film at the cinema you missed it ! This would often be the first chance to see a popular film and it would always be a big family debate to which film to watch, which to record to watch later. Everyone I know watched the films.
Most families watched the Queen simply because the TV would be going on for the film and you put it on 10 minutes before because "We might as well see what the Queen has to say" as my Dad would put it.

A couple of times in the 90s, ITV aired Coronation Street either side of it and actually showed Alf Roberts switching on the TV to watch it. That was quite controversial!

DonnaSummet · 18/11/2024 20:28

My MIL nearly 80 and my grandad 92.are the only people I know who HAVE to watch it.

Yuckyyuckyuckity · 18/11/2024 20:28

Under 50, have watched it every year as far as I can remember, as we traditionally sit down for Christmas dinner straight after. I genuinely thought most people did until a few years ago!

I wouldn't say we are staunch royalists but we aren't anti either. I can't imagine not watching it, it's not that we care about the actual speech so much, but I feel like it's just part of the whole ceremony of Christmas day, like port and cheeseboard and mince pies etc.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 18/11/2024 20:27

I have zero interest but remember the tv being wheeled into the dining room so granny could watch it if it clashed with dinner. My mum hated it!

TooBigForMyBoots · 18/11/2024 20:26

I'm over 50. I've never watched Liz or Charles. None of my in-laws put it on either when I've spent Christmas day with them.

I'm dead excited about the new Wallage and Gromit.Grin

SpiggingBelgium · 18/11/2024 20:25

I watch it out of interest - I like seeing the angle the press office will take (especially if it’s been a year of scandals). I’m not naive enough to think it’s the monarch’s personal thoughts, and I don’t watch out of any sense of tradition or patriotism.

BananaNirvana · 18/11/2024 20:25

I’m in my 50s and never watched it. Soooo tedious. My mum is in her 80s and also never watched it. Couldn’t think of anything more uninteresting to do on Christmas Day 🤷‍♀️

BodyKeepingScore · 18/11/2024 20:25

Never watched it in my life, nor does anyone in my immediate family.

stargazerlil · 18/11/2024 20:23

Over 50, the only thing we all gathered round the tv for on Xmas day was top of the pops.

RedRiverShore5 · 18/11/2024 20:23

I don't actively watch it, if I was watching that channel anyway it would be on as it's not that long but I many be doing something else, I'm mid 60s

BiscottiToffee · 18/11/2024 20:23

Mid 30s, watched all my life. DH never watched. First Christmas at my mum's he was told in absolutely no uncertain terms that it was non negotiable in our household.

I don't know if it's different for us because my mum was an immigrant, had to pledge allegiance to the monarchy, and so we were raised with the deepest respect for the royals.

Feelinadequate23 · 18/11/2024 20:20

Late 30s, watch it every year. Family tradition started by grandmas. We always toast the monarch with a glass of champagne so it’s something we look forward to!

user1469770863 · 18/11/2024 20:20
  1. Never watched it, never will.
LindorDoubleChoc · 18/11/2024 20:19

I'm 62 and never knowingly watched the royal speech on Christmas day.

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