The 79th Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree has officially been felled and is on its way to London, continuing the tradition that connects the UK and Norway.
A Norwegian spruce has been given to the UK every year as an exchange between the two countries since 1947, an ongoing symbol of thanks for Britain's support during the Second World War.
On November 21, Westminster's Lord Mayor Paul Dimoldenberg and Oslo's Mayor Anne Lindboe both attended the felling ceremony in Norway.
Now, the tree is making its way to London ahead of the lights switch-on event, which both mayors will also attend.
The 20-metre-tall tree, named ‘Ever Oslo’ and estimated to be 65 years old, was selected by a combination of expert advice and a social media poll.
However, the Christmas tree is yet to be illuminated. So when can we expect the lights to be switched on?
When will the Trafalgar Square tree be lit?
The lighting-up takes place on the first Thursday in December, which this year means it will happen on Thursday, December 4.
The tree will remain in place until January 5, or the twelfth day of Christmas, after which it will be responsibly recycled.
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The lights switch-on will take place at 6pm, with the whole event concluding at 6.30pm.
Other festivities include the Choir of St-Martin-in-the-Fields singing Christmas carols, a poem to the Tree written and recited by local children, a display by the Corps of Drums from the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood, and a performance from Det Norske Jentekor, The Norwegian Girls’ Choir.
Where is the Trafalgar Square tree from?
Traditionally, the tree is over 20 metres high and decorated with simple lights.
King Haakon VII sent the first tree in 1947. This was to say thank you for being given a home in the UK after he fled Norway when Nazi Germany invaded.
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Since then, a tree gets felled every year in November and then sets out for London by sea and lorry.
While the tree is a symbolic gesture of friendship between nations, it has also faced some criticism. The BBC reported that the tree that arrived in 2019 was criticised for looking “anaemic” and “droopy”.
The tree’s appearance was defended last year by the British ambassador to Norway, the appropriately named Richard Wood, who pointed out: “This is what 90-year-old, 25-metre trees in the wild look like. It is important to consider the symbolism of the tree rather than simply how many branches it has.”
