The tree is a gift to the people of Britain from the city of Oslo in Norway. It is in gratitude for British support to Norway during the Second World War. When German forces invaded Norway in 1940 the ruler of Norway, King Haakon VII fled to Britain. In London he established a government-in-exile, which enabled Norway to retain its sovereignty and provided a base for the Norwegian resistance movement.
It was only when I went to Norway this year, 2016, that I realised the connection between Norway and Britain (Alesund visit).
A tree has been given annually since 1947.
It is quite an interesting history of the tree. In November a suitable Norwegian spruce is chosen in Norway. It is cut during a ceremony attended by the British Ambassador to Norway, the Mayor of Oslo, and Lord Mayor of Westminster. The tree is then shipped to Britain and put up in Trafalgar Square.
The tree is usually 50-60 years old and over 20 m tall. However in 2016 the tree was bigger and older - 116 years old and 28 m high. The lighting ceremony is on the first Thursday in December, which this year was the 1st Dec.
The tree is decorated in traditional Norwegian style, with 500 white lights. This is the tree from 2015, photo taken on Boxing Day -
This year the tree has 900 lights. The tree looks quite slender compared to the ones people have in their houses, but this is a traditional Norwegian fir.
The tree provides a focal point for groups of carol singers collecting for charity. When the tree is taken down around Twelfth Night, the tree is recycled by being chipped and then used as compost for the Parliament Square flower beds.
There is always a crib in Trafalgar Square -
And a few more lights from Central London.
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