King Charles delivered his Christmas speech from a former hospital chapel in London
King Charles has shared his ‘deep sense of pride’ over how communities came together in response to nationwide rioting during his annual Christmas speech today.
Charles III made his third Christmas address to the nation today (25 December), opting to break royal protocol by delivering his speech from a former hospital chapel as a nod to healthcare workers after undergoing cancer treatment this year.
King Charles III delivered his third Christmas speech today (Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
During his 10-minute speech, the monarch addressed the reaction to riots which occurred earlier in the year following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a dance party in Southport.
The devastating attack sent shockwaves through the UK and led to numerous riots, which started in the seaside town and spread to other cites in the following days.
Charles has now shared his pride at seeing how communities came together after the protests and worked to repair buildings which had been damaged in the riots, including a mosque in Southport which had bricks thrown at it.
“I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviours, but to repair,” the King said of community reactions.
“To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and, through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all.”
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Communities in Southport working together to repair damage after riots (X/willhollis_tv)
Elsewhere in the speech, Charles thanked the ‘selfless’ doctors and nurses who provided care to himself and Catherine, Princess of Wales, following their respective cancer diagnoses.
Back in February the King confirmed that he’d been diagnosed with an unspecified cancer, which is currently scheduled to continue into the next year. The Princess of Wales revealed that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatment a month later after a planned abdominal surgery revealed she had cancer.
“From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed,” he said.
“I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.”
The King chose the venue of Fitzrovia Chapel as a nod to healthcare workers (Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
It’s understood the King chose Fitzrovia Chapel, the former chapel of London’s Middlesex Hospital, as a nod to the healthcare workers who’d provided ‘provided strength, care and comfort’ to himself and Catherine.
“All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical,” he added.
“The degree to which we help one another – and draw support from each other, be we people of faith or of none – is a measure of our civilisation as nations.”Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Christmas, King Charles III, Royal Family
Brenna Cooper
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Published 14:10 23 Dec 2024 GMT
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 15:10 25 Dec 2024 GMT
Reason why King Charles broke Christmas speech royal protocol for the first time in 14 years
Did you notice a difference in this year’s King speech?
Here is the reason why King Charles III decided to break royal protocol with his 2024 Christmas speech today.
Royal broadcasts have been a staple in British programming on Christmas Day, with most of us used to seeing the late Queen Elizabeth II – and now Charles – pop up on our TVs with a 10-minute speech at 3.00pm.
The speeches typically take place within Buckingham Palace or from somewhere else in the royal estate, with eagle-eyed viewers scrutinising the photos of family members in the background.
However there was none of that this year as the King opted to break protocol with his 2024 address.
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King Charles broke Royal protocol with this year’s speech (Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The speech – which had been pre-recorded on 11 December – was filmed at Fitzrovia Chapel, a former chapel of the Middlesex Hospital which is now closed and demolished.
This marked the first time in 14 years since the staple speech has not been filmed in a building of the royal estate.
So, what’s the reason for the change in venue?
The Grade II* listed chapel featured in this year’s speech features a ‘richly decorated’ interior which offered a place of ‘peace, prayer and reflection’ for both patients and healthcare workers at the former hospital.
Acknowledgement and appreciation for doctors and nurses were a key part of the King’s speech, after several members of the Royal Family underwent their own health battles earlier in the year.
The interior of Fitzrovia Chapel, which features Byzantine-inspired architecture (Getty Stock Images)
As you’ll remember, the King began treatment for an unspecified form of cancer earlier back in February and made sure to pay tribute to ‘selfless’ healthcare workers during his speech. Kate Middleton also revealed that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy a month later, with the Princess of Wales confirming she was cancer-free in September.
“From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed,” he said.
“I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.”
King Charles III stood in Fitzrovia Chapel (Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Elsewhere in the speech, the King revealed his ‘deep sense of pride’ in seeing how communities came together after a series of riots rocked the nation in the days following the devastating Southport stabbings which killed three girls.
“I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviours, but to repair,” he added.Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: Christmas, King Charles III, UK News, Royal Family
Brenna Cooper
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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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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 10 to 14 days before returning home for the rest of her recovery and would not be returning to public duties until after Easter.
HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
According to Buckingham Palace the King’s condition is benign and he would be going in for a corrective procedure.
It is understood that King Charles wanted details of his diagnosis to be known to encourage other men experiencing symptoms with their prostate to get checked.
His upcoming meetings have been postponed on his doctor’s advice, and Buckingham Palace made the announcement so that politicians and foreign dignitaries set to meet him in the upcoming days know he is unavailable.
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.
One health concern King Charles has that often goes viral are his ‘sausage fingers’, which the man himself has joked about to the rest of his family.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images For Buckingham Palace
As for Kate’s condition, Kensington Palace did not announce what she had received abdominal surgery for but confirmed that it was non-cancerous.
Prince William will also put his public duties on hold for a period of time while his wife recovers.
Kensington Palace said of her: “The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate.
“She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.
“Kensington Palace will, therefore, only provide updates on Her Royal Highness’ progress when there is significant new information to share.
“The Princess of Wales wishes to apologise to all those concerned for the fact that she has to postpone her upcoming engagements.
“She looks forward to reinstating as many as possible, as soon as possible.”