Every year on December 25, the Queen's Christmas broadcast airs in the U.K. Many Brits press pause on their holiday celebrations to watch Her Majesty reflect on the past year.
The broadcast is taped earlier in the month at one of the Queen's homes, be it Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. This year, it took place in the former's music room. Technically, the Crown Estate owns both places and the monarch is merely its occupant. So imagine my amusement (irritation, really) when I read people's reactions to seeing a gold piano in the video.
That gold piano is part of the Royal Collection, which furnishes many of the palaces inhabited by royals. This is not a new thing. Monarchies and priceless items have been around for centuries, and now you want to point out the excess?
This guy gets it:
I'd also like to bring up the fact that the Queen grew up during World War II, when clothing, food and other necessities were rationed. Because of these austere measures Her Majesty doesn't live extravagantly (relatively speaking since she is a head of state).
About that piano....it was originally made for Queen Victoria in 1856 by S&P Erard, according to RCT's website. It features gilded and painted surfaces. Yes, it looks like it might belong in Trump Tower, but it's a historical piece.
If you missed the Queen's Christmas broadcast yesterday, give it a listen below, gold piano and all.