There’s a strong tradition for both monarchs and political leaders around the world to hold speeches or messages to the people in the time between Christmas and New Year’s. Tradition varies a little from country to country, some of the speeches and messages are rather long and go through the past year while others are shorter and focus on the holiday greeting. Sweden’s royal Christmas speech was the most recent one to reach television after only being broadcast on radio until a few years ago. Almost all of them, except the one of Queen Margrethe of Denmark, have in common that they are recorded well ahead of Christmas and New Year.

Here’s my re-cap of this year’s messages from the European monarchs…

Belgium, King Albert II – 24 December

Full text in French here and Dutch here.

Denmark, Queen Margrethe II – 31 December

Full text in the Danish original here and in English here.

Japan, Emperor Akihito – 1 January

Full text in original Japanese here.

Luxembourg, Grand Duke Henri – 24 December

Full text in original Luxembourgish here and French here.

Monaco, Prince Albert II – 31 December

A video shared on Facebook, can be seen here.

The Netherlands, Queen Beatrix – 25 December

Full text in original Dutch here.

Norway, King Harald V – 31 December

Full text in original Norwegian here.

United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II – 25 December

Full text in original English here.

Spain, King Juan Carlos – 24 December

Full text in original Spanish here.

Sweden, King Carl XVI Gustaf – 25 December

H.M. Konungens jultal 2012 from Kungahuset on Vimeo.

Full text in original Swedish here.

Non-reigning

Prince Leka of Albania – 1 January – text here.

King Simeon of Bulgaria – 20 December – text here.

King Michael of Romania – 24 December – video

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Prince Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta – 31 December – text here.

Crown Prince Alexander of Serbia – 21 December – text here.