Behind the scenes at Harewood House ahead of a Yorkshire Christmas

In fact Historic England says it was actually “good Queen Charlotte”, the German wife of George III, who set up the first known tree at Queen’s Lodge, Windsor, four decades earlier in December 1800.

But it apparently took until the 1860s for them to really catch on.

The tradition continues to evolve, with Christmas trees these days taking many forms and themes.

It’s in that spirit that Harewood House has bought together eleven designers, artists, creative studios, and makers to create "traditionally untraditional” Christmas trees.

Long Live the Christmas Tree! features new work by artists and creative studios such as Swallows and Damsons who have designed a large-scale floral wreath sculpture, made using foliage sourced from Harewood’s walled garden and the wider estate, which greets visitors in the entrance hall.

Throughout Harewood’s three libraries, Andy Singleton has created a sculpted paper tree inspired by the decorative patterns in the house for the ceiling of the Spanish library.

Phoebe McElhatton has created a playful plasterwork installation, responding to the Robert Adam design of the ceilings in the old library, with sculpted elements evoking celebrations and feasting.

Meanwhile Meriel Hunt’s ‘BeeTree’ in the state bedroom is inspired by the role of trees in supporting ecosystems. After the exhibition the tree will go up in Harewood’s grounds – hopefully becoming a home for bees in the future.

Across the festive season Harewood attracts 45,000 visitors.

Jane Marriott, Trust Director at Harewood House said: “Long Live the Christmas Tree! presents a unique version of the classic winter pine and spruce by 11 wonderful artists.

"Harewood’s ambition is to be bold in our approach to commissioning artists - to excite and inspire our visitors - so we are delighted with the diverse, unexpected, joyful, thoughtful, and creative installations across the house.’

The exhibition also features a new partnership with Opera North. Working with brass instruments musician and composer Martin Green has collaborated with Opera North to create a new musical piece inspired by Harewood’s Gallery. Visitors can enjoy the sounds surrounded by a vast room full of Renaissance paintings.

Harewood was built, between 1759 and 1771, for Edwin Lascelles, 1st Baron Harewood, a wealthy West Indian plantation and slave-owner. The family seat of the Lascelles family, the house and grounds are managed by Harewood House Trust and are open to the public for most of the year.