Which British monarch reigned when the term “Boxing Day” first appeared in print in 1833? William IV.
William IV occupied the British throne from 1830 until his death in 1837, placing the 1833 appearance firmly within his reign. He succeeded his elder brother, George IV, and was followed by his niece, Queen Victoria.
Boxing Day is observed on 26 December in Britain and several Commonwealth countries. Its name is generally linked to “Christmas boxes”: gifts, money or food traditionally given to servants, tradespeople and people in need after Christmas Day. Another theory connects it with church collection boxes opened for charitable distribution. The exact origin remains uncertain.
A common mix-up is Victoria, whose long reign began only in 1837. George IV had already died in 1830, while Edward VII did not become king until 1901. The 1833 date therefore points to William IV, even though the holiday’s customs and earlier terminology developed over a much longer period.