For the last two weeks, musicians from different parts of Britain have been performing Christmas carols in front of the huge Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square in Central London. The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square has historical significance. Norway was supported by Britain in preserving its liberty during the WWII. Since then, residents of Oslo – the capital of Norway – have been sending a giant Norwegian spruce Christmas tree to their British ‘friends’ as a token of gratitude, celebration and commemoration of Britain’s support. And Britain keeps the tree at this historical place in London every year.

Trafalgar Square

When Germany invaded Norway in 1940, King Haakon VII of Norway (popularly known as Prince Carl of Denmark until 1905 who became the first king of Norway after the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905) took refuge in England. Britain also allowed the Norwegian government to establish its headquarters in London. The headquarters used to broadcast war-related news in Norwegian language from London. The Norwegian government also broadcast news of anti-German movements in Norway from its London office.

The Royal Family of Norway

Every year, the concerned authorities in Norway select this tree from a forest near Oslo. Then, the experts cut the tree properly and get it transported to Britain. Britons decorate the tree with 500 white lights and place it at Trafalgar Square on the first Thursday of December in the presence of Norwegian ambassador to London. Britain received the first Christmas tree from Norway 70 years ago in 1947.

Trafalgar Square 2008

Britons had no idea about the Christmas tree before 1840. Queen Victoria brought it to the country along with her when she arrived in Britain after her marriage with Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Their wedding took place at Chapel Royal, St James’ Palace, in London on February 10, 1840.
The use of Christmas tree is basically a German tradition. From the second half of the 19th Century, the Christmas tree started playing a special role in the British Royal family. Queen Victoria used to give special gifts to all the officials of the Royal Palace during this time and the Royal Family still follows the practice. The volume of gifts depends on the seniority of the staff.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das