Photos of the Royal Family celebrating Christmas through the years

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

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

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

1952
Making history, Queen Elizabeth II made her first-ever Christmas broadcast to the nation from Sandringham House.
Photo: © Fox Photos/Getty Images

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

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

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

1971
Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Queen Elizabeth II looked through at a photo album.
Photo: © Hulton Archive/Getty Images

1982
Princess Diana and Prince Charles posed with baby Prince William during the Christmas season at Kensington Palace.
Photo: © Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

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

1988
Prince Harry, 4, dressed as a shepherd for his school's Christmas play.
Photo by Georges De Keerle/Getty Images

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.
Photo: © Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

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.
Photo: © Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty Images

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
Photo: © JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images

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.
Photo: © Mark Stewart - Pool/Getty Images

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.
Photo: © Alastair Grant - WPA Pool/Getty Images

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.
Photo: © Getty Images

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!
Photo: © Chris Jackson/Getty Images