The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has arrived in central London, but social media users are already saying it looks a bit the worse for wear – after last year’s spruce was slammed as ‘threadbare’.
The tree was felled in Norway in late November, as is traditional, and has now been shipped across the sea to be placed in one of the capitals’s most iconic tourist locations.
The 62ft tree grew in Nordmarka, the forests just north of Oslo, ahead of the lighting ceremony on December 7.
A tree has been gifted from Norway every year since 1947, in recognition of the UK’s support during World War Two.
The gift began when Norway was invaded in 1940, and the King of Norway sought refuge in the UK and established the Norwegian government-in-exile.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree looked rather flattened after its long journey from Norway
The 62-foot tree looked magnificent as it was felled in late November
After pictures emerged showing the tree being felled, keen-eyed fans were quick to point out that they hoped it was better than last year’s offering.
The 2022 tree was widely mocked by Londoners on social media after it appeared rather skinny and threadbare.
One person joked: ‘Judging by the photos of the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree being felled last week in Norway and arriving today, it’s been transported as hand luggage on Ryanair.’
Another person wrote: ‘Ok, own up, who switched out the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree for one from Wish mid-journey?’
This year’s tree is already looking a little ragged, with one side seeming flat and brown after the long journey.
Social media users were quick to joke Norway had only delivered ‘half the tree’.
‘That’s only half the tree. Explains the recession in Norway,’ quipped one user. A second added: ‘Where’s the other half of it?’
It is being erected by a specialist rigging team, who will also be unflattening its branches, and a crane.
The tree will be decorated in traditional Norwegian fashion with vertical strings and lights.
Patricia McAllister, Lord Mayor of Westminster, joined British Ambassador Jan Thompson for the official tree felling ceremony in Norway.
It was hosted by Oslo Mayor Anne Lindboe, who was seen helping saw down the firn.
It comes as a 40ft Christmas tree was put up at the Houses of Parliament to mark the beginning of the Christmas season.
A tree has been sent by Norway ever since the World War Two in recognition of Britain’s help
Workers could be seen trying to straighten out the tree’s branches once it had been erected
But images showed it has already lost some of its green colour with 21 days to go until the big day
After some care by workers, who straightened out the branches, this year’s tree appeared much more festive
The Sitka spruce was selected from the Kielder Forest, Northumberland, and will stand at the foot of Big Ben.
King Haakon VII of Norway made popular broadcasts to his country via the BBC while in exile during the Second World War.
Aware that he was likely to be found and apprehended by the Nazis after the invasion of neutral Norway in April 1940, he slept in his uniform, fearful they would be able to publish humiliating photographs of him in pyjamas.
Denmark surrendered just six hours after Hitler’s troops crossed its border. To do otherwise would be to risk further bloodshed and almost certain defeat. But Haakon and his government were determined Norway would not collaborate with the Nazis.
His broadcasts from Britain reminded Norwegians to keep their values and his moral fortitude cheered them, just as he was cheered by the defiance of the greater part of the Norwegian people.
Rather than saying ‘when we win the war’, he spoke of the day he would ‘come home’. Loyalty to their constitutional monarch provided the focus for the Norwegian resistance.
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