How King Charles will break from tradition in his Christmas speech this year

The King has broken tradition by recording this year’s Christmas Day message at a church rather than on a royal estate.

King Charles has chosen to film the annual address to the nation at a former hospital chapel following his ongoing battle with cancer. 

The Monarch will appear on TV screens on Wednesday to deliver his speech from the Fitzrovia Chapel in London, which once served as a chapel for Middlesex Hospital.

It marks the first time in 14 years that the King’s speech has not been filmed on a royal estate. 

The chapel is understood to reflect the key themes of healthcare and community that the King is expected to talk about during the speech, according to The Telegraph.

The newspaper added that his message will focus on the ‘incredible work’ of the healthcare profession in a year where he and his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, were both diagnosed with cancer.

He will also highlight the value of community, praising the British people for coming together in the wake of this summer’s far-right riots after the Southport stabbings. 

Charles has been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease in February. It was revealed last week that the 76-year-old is ‘moving in a positive direction’ and will continue his treatment into 2025. 

The King has broken tradition by recording this year's Christmas Day message at Fitzrovia Chapel (pictured), which once served as a chapel for Middlesex Hospital

The King has broken tradition by recording this year’s Christmas Day message at Fitzrovia Chapel (pictured), which once served as a chapel for Middlesex Hospital

The Monarch will appear on TV screens on Wednesday to deliver his speech from the Fitzrovia Chapel in London (pictured)

The Monarch will appear on TV screens on Wednesday to deliver his speech from the Fitzrovia Chapel in London (pictured)

The King's speech last year was filmed inside Buckingham Palace (pictured), however, this year it will be filmed inside a former hospital chapel

The King’s speech last year was filmed inside Buckingham Palace (pictured), however, this year it will be filmed inside a former hospital chapel

It was reportedly the monarch’s own idea to film the broadcast outside of the royal residences. 

The late Queen filmed her 2010 Christmas speech at Hampton Court Palace, marking the last time a monarch broke this tradition.

A royal source told The Telegraph the King wanted to use his speech to ‘reach out into communities rather than bringing them into him’. 

‘Even though this is a Christmas address, His Majesty likes to reach out to those of all faiths and none,’ they added. 

Charles had reportedly never seen the church before and was ‘absolutely enchanted’ by its size, ‘astonishing beauty’ and rich history during his first visit.

The Grade II listed chapel in central London close to Oxford Street has Byzantine-inspired architecture and is richly decorated in a Gothic revival style with marble and more than 500 stars in the gold leaf ceiling.

It is used as a community space and, while it is not regularly used for services, it often hosts several events such as weddings, exhibitions and book launches. 

The chapel is currently closed to the public but is set to reopen on January 8 for a special exhibition. 

The Grade II listed chapel in central London close to Oxford Street has Byzantine-inspired architecture

The Grade II listed chapel in central London close to Oxford Street has Byzantine-inspired architecture 

The outside of the the Fitzrovia Chapel in London where King Charles III recorded his Christmas message

The outside of the the Fitzrovia Chapel in London where King Charles III recorded his Christmas message

King Charles III attends a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace for the Royal Family

King Charles III attends a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace for the Royal Family 

The King with priest Father Dominic Robinson during an advent service at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Farm Street Church, in London on Tuesday

The King with priest Father Dominic Robinson during an advent service at the Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, also known as Farm Street Church, in London on Tuesday

It was revealed last week that His Majesty intends to return to a full programme of public duties next year. This will include ‘exciting’ UK and international visits in the first half of 2025, a royal insider said.

‘His treatment has been moving in a positive direction, as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into the new year’, they added. 

Charles has been carrying on with his duties despite facing a personally challenging year in which both he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer.

He has also increased his engagements recently, including a visit to Apple’s London HQ and a meeting with CEO Tim Cook. 

News of Charles’ cancer, undisclosed in its form, came in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate in January.

He cancelled all face-to-face public duties but returned in April and has since travelled to France for D-Day commemorations, hosted incoming state visits for the Emperor of Japan and the Emir of Qatar, and undertaken a hectic tour to Australia and Samoa with the Queen, despite still undergoing outpatient cancer treatment.

You May Also Like

Father Convicted for Horrific Crime Against Infant Daughter While Mother Was Out Shopping for Diapers

A SICK dad who raped his eight-day old daughter before killing her…

83-year-old British missionary and his assistant taken by armed criminals in Cameroon, church group pleads for their safe return

A BRIT missionary, 83, and his assistant have been abducted by a…

Discovery of Subterranean City Beneath Egypt’s Giza Pyramids Supported by Definitive Data

As the debate over what lies beneath Egypt’s Giza pyramids continues, the…

Wife of Beloved Doctor Faces Perilous Situation on Romantic Getaway

For her 36th birthday, anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig surprises his wife, engineer Arielle,…

Multiple victims rushed to hospital following mass stabbing near Capitol in DC, roads blocked by police with public advised to avoid area

MULTIPLE people have been hospitalized after a mass stabbing in Washington DC.…

“Russian TV Fooled by April Fool’s Joke of New Aircraft Carrier with Racing Stripes Named HMS Prince Andrew”

RUSSIAN state TV fell for an April Fool’s story about a new…

Parents of children involved in near-fatal crash with Virginia Giuffre, who accused Prince Andrew, speak out against her allegations

PARENTS of kids on the bus that hit Virginia Giuffre’s car have…

Wife in Maui Gets Protection Order Against Doctor Husband for Attacking Her with Rock and Trying to Push Her off Cliff

A physician’s wife in Hawaii is fighting back after her husband allegedly…

Woman Expecting Baby Found Fatally Injured in Shopping Cart; Person Arrested for the Crime

U.S. Marshals in Nevada arrested a man last month for killing a…

Russia cautions that a war with Iran could lead to a disastrous outcome if the US attacks nuclear facilities while Trump and Israel plan strikes.

Russia has cautioned that a conflict between the western nations and its…

Nancy Grace Secures Video of Suspect Transporting Miranda Corsette’s Body

Nancy Grace has exclusively obtained video footage from a neighbor showing suspect…

Upset Prince Harry promises to investigate Sentebale thoroughly to reveal the truth and criticizes false allegations of harassment and bullying made against him by the chairperson.

Prince Harry has expressed doubt over the integrity of Sentebale’s leader, implying…