The UK has been gifted a giant Christmas tree from Norway since 1947. The tradition started when the King of Norway, Haakon VII, took refuge in Britain after the Scandinavian country was invaded by Germany in 1940.

A gifted Christmas tree from Norway has reached its final stop on its journey to London and has been put up in Trafalgar Square. Every year since 1947 a tree has been felled and transported from Nordmarka Forest to England's capital city to recognise the UK's assistance to Norway during the Second World War.

LONDONERS have slammed the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree again – saying “dead branches” make it look like “half the fir is missing”. The official national tree has

Trafalgar Square's annual Christmas tree has arrived in London all the way from Norway - but as in previous years, it's already receiving backlash from social media users

Londoners have mocked the Trafalgar Christmas tree as the 66ft tree was installed in place in central London on Monday. Officials have said the spruce needs time to unfurl after being transported hundreds of miles from Norway ’s Nordmarka Forest last week before appearing at its full “majestic” height.

The tree, gifted every year by Norway since 1947, will see its lights switched on in a grand ceremony on Thursday.