 The Danish monarchs annual speech for the New Year is a tradition  since 1 January 1941 when a recorded Christian X speech was aired on  radio. The first televised speech was held by Frederik IX in 1958,  also on January 1st, in connection with an annual state banquet. It  is now televised annually on 31 December on several channels, live  from the monarchs study at Amalienborg and accompanied by pictures  of the change of guards outside. Queen Margrethe II, who gave her  first New Years speech in 1972, writes her speeches herself based on  a draft from the Ministry of State. Her speeches have a personal  touch and hold subjects of ethical and cultural character. The 1978  speech had a special prehistory, according to  Poul Jørgensen (qv)s book "Danmarks dronning": The royal family  had spent Christmas at Schackenborg Estate in Southern Jutland. When  an icy winter broke out, they snowed in at the estate and most means  of transport were blocked. On the morning of the speech the Queen  was still at Schackenborg. But since the Queen was suppose to  deliver her speech in Copenhagen and insisted on living up to her  commitment, it was arranged for her to fly by helicopter. In spite  of poor weather conditions she succeeded in making it to Amalienborg  Castle in time.