King Charles will break royal protocol with this year’s Christmas speech
There’ll be something different about 2024’s address
King Charles will break royal protocol with his Christmas speech this year.
For some families across the UK (and even around the world), it’s a yearly tradition to sit down after dinner and watch the Royal reigning monarch address the nation.
And usually, we know exactly what to expect; the King will look back at some of the main events from the past 12 months and wish us all a merry Christmas from a room in Buckingham Palace or from part of the royal estate.
However, it seems as though Charles has decided to shake it up for 2024 as he’s doing something a little less usual.
This year’s speech will take place in a chapel. (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)
For this year’s King’s Speech, he will be reflecting on an ‘extraordinary’ year from the Fitzrovia Chapel, a former chapel of the Middlesex Hospital now closed and demolished. He recorded the 10-minute address back on 11 December.
This will mark the first time in 14 years since the staple speech has not been filmed in a building of the royal estate.
For over a century, the chapel was a place of solace for patients, medical staff, and the public, and is described today as a ‘much-valued space’ for all those in the area.
It is believed that filming the speech in the chapel serves as a bit of a reflection of some of its key themes, such as healthcare and community.
Charles’ speech is said to focus on the efforts of healthcare workers following his cancer diagnosis and hail community cohesion in the wake of riots after the Southport stabbings.
This last year was also an eventful for year for other members of the royal family, including the Princess of Wales receiving treatment for cancer.
Many Brits sit down for the speech each year. (Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images)
Of course, as mentioned earlier, it’s not the first time this annual speech has been done elsewhere – it’s just not the most traditional way of doing it.
The late Queen recorded her 2006 address at Southwark Cathedral and also at Combermere Barracks in Windsor three years earlier.
The Grade II* listed chapel used for this year’s address is found in central London, close to Oxford Street. It has Byzantine-inspired architecture and is described as being ‘richly decorated’ in a Gothic revival style with marble and more than 500 stars in the gold leaf ceiling.
If you’re planning on sitting down to watch it, the King’s Speech will air on Christmas Day, 25 December, on BBC One at 3pm.Featured Image Credit: Victoria Jones – Pool/Getty Images/Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images
Topics: Royal Family, Christmas, UK News, King Charles III
Jess Battison
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Published 17:19 24 Dec 2023 GMT
King Charles to make history in King’s Speech to highlight important message
It’s going to be his second speech on Christmas Day
When his second Christmas speech is broadcast across the UK there will be something different about the message given by King Charles III.
For the monarch to deliver a message at Christmas is a regular fixture in the festive viewing schedule, and last year was the first time King Charles III made his Christmas address to the nation.
King Charles’ tribute to Queen in Xmas Speech
Credit: YouTube/The Royal Family
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Last year was a significant moment for Charles, with his first Christmas speech coming just months after the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
While the late Queen tended to sit for her Christmas speeches, Charles was standing to deliver his address which he had given from St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Officially crowned earlier this year, King Charles’ second Christmas message will see him do something for the first time to help hammer home his point.
PA
While the monarch delivers their speech in a typically Christmassy setting, with the tree usually visible in the background, this year’s address will feature a still-living tree.
King Charles III’s speech will be delivered from a room in Buckingham Palace with the replantable Christmas tree used as the backdrop.
Decorated with natural ornaments made from sustainable materials, it’s meant to reinforce the message of sustainability, which ties into the King’s support for the environment.
What King Charles will say in his speech is not yet known, but the speech is a chance for the monarch to talk about issues that have chimed with people.
The Royal Family is not supposed to get involved with politics, but Charles has always been a supportive voice to environmental causes and has continued that since becoming King.
Hannah McKay – WPA Pool/Getty Images
He gave a speech at the recent COP28 climate change summit in Dubai and has used his public platform to remain a voice on the dangers our planet’s environment faces.
As for the tree that will feature in the speech, living trees are dug up at the roots so they can be replanted and used again in subsequent years.
The plan is for the tree to return to the soil after Christmas, meaning you get years of service from it as a Christmas tree without having to chop it down.
Meanwhile, an upcoming documentary has indicated that Charles pokes fun at his ‘sausage fingers’ almost as much as everyone else does.
If you’ve seen his hands then you’ll know what that means, and a clip from the documentary Charles III: The Coronation Year showed the King and Prince William joking about fitting a clasp as he told his son ‘you haven’t got sausage fingers like mine’.
So there you go, sausage finger jokes now have royal approval.Featured Image Credit: PA/Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Topics: King Charles III, Christmas, Royal Family
Joe Harker
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Updated 09:47 6 Feb 2024 GMTPublished 18:03 5 Feb 2024 GMT
King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer
The Palace has issued a statement
King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing a treatment plan, the Palace has said.
A statement from Buckingham Palace reads: “During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images
“The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
“His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reacted to the news of the King’s cancer diagnosis by posting on X: “Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery.
“I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.”
The news comes just days after the monarch was treated for an enlarged prostate.
The King was discharged from the London Clinic on 29 January after three nights receiving medical care at the hospital.
Charles underwent a corrective procedure for the benign condition and it has been reported that he could take up to a month off from public duties as he recuperates.
At the time he was discharged, Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “The King was this afternoon discharged from hospital following planned medical treatment and has rescheduled forthcoming public engagements to allow for a period of private recuperation.
Alastair Grant – WPA Pool/Getty Images
“His Majesty would like to thank the medical team and all those involved in supporting his hospital visit, and is grateful for all the kind messages he has received in recent days.”
Speaking last Thursday (1 February), his wife Queen Camila said: “He’s recovering well, thank you.”
Charles is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.
NHS England has said the ‘enlarged prostate’ page on the NHS website received one visit every five seconds on the day the King’s diagnosis was announced, with further huge boosts in visits in the days that followed.
The 75-year-old has been on the throne for 16 months following the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, at the age of 96.Featured Image Credit: Alastair Grant/Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Royal Family, UK News, King Charles III
Claire Reid
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Published 15:12 25 Dec 2023 GMT
King Charles pays emotional tribute to ‘selfless’ workers in Christmas day speech
King Charles III gave his second Christmas address today
Christmas Day might be made up with a load of eating, presents and family time, but another key staple to many is the King’s speech.
King Charles III gave his second Christmas address to Brits today (25 December) following many years of his mum, the late Queen Elizabeth II, doing the coveted speech.
Charles III: The Coronation Year trailer
Credit: BBC
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Officially crowned at his coronation earlier this year, Charles’ second festive message featured him being the very first to do something rather important.
In the background of the King’s speech this year, was a still-living tree.
This makes him the first monarch to do so, and it was decorated with natural ornaments made from sustainable materials, reinforcing the message of sustainability. The King has long championed supporting the environment.
Brits up and down the nation (and likely all over the world) will have sat down at 3pm today to watch the address.
It included thanks to volunteers as he said: “My wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army of people – volunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and with such distinction – were able to join us in Westminster Abbey for the coronation earlier this year.
“They are an essential backbone of our society.”
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
The King also touched on his care towards the environment as he said: “To care for this creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none. We care for the Earth for the sake of our children’s children.
“During my lifetime I have been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must protect the Earth and our natural world as the one home which we all share.”
King Charles also spoke about the ‘increasingly tragic conflict around the World’.
“I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other. The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you,’” he said.
Hannah McKay – WPA Pool/Getty Images
“Such values are universal, drawing together our Abrahamic family of religions, and other belief systems, across the Commonwealth and wider world. They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours, and to seek their good as we would our own.”
The King finished with a classic: “I wish you a Christmas of ‘peace on Earth and goodwill to all’, today and always.”
Well, Merry Christmas and all that, lads.Featured Image Credit: PA/Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Topics: UK News, Royal Family, News, Christmas
Jess Battison
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Updated 16:06 17 Jan 2024 GMTPublished 15:44 17 Jan 2024 GMT
breaking
King Charles to undergo surgery next week for enlarged prostate
His royal duties will be put on hold for a while
King Charles will have to put his public duties on hold for a bit as Buckingham Palace announced that he would be going in for surgery on an enlarged prostate next week.
They said: “In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.
“His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation.”
The announcement comes on the same day as the news that the Princess of Wales was being treated in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery.
Kensington Palace announced that Kate would likely stay in hospital for between