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Did you notice something different about King Charles’s speech this Christmas?
On Christmas Day, it’s common for the British public to tune in at 3:00 pm to watch the royal Christmas address. For many years, we’ve heard from Queen Elizabeth II, and now King Charles III, delivering a brief, 10-minute speech that’s usually broadcasted from Buckingham Palace or another royal residence. People often pay attention to the background, spotting royal family photos or decorations.
However, this year, things were a little different. King Charles decided to break royal tradition in his 2024 Christmas speech.
A Change in Venue
The pre-recorded address, which was filmed on December 11, was not made from the usual setting on the royal estate. Instead, King Charles delivered his message from the Fitzrovia Chapel, a former part of the Middlesex Hospital, which has since been closed and demolished.
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This marks the first time in 14 years that the royal Christmas speech has been filmed outside of a royal building. So, why the change?
Why Fitzrovia Chapel?
The Fitzrovia Chapel, a Grade II* listed building, has a beautifully decorated interior. Once a place of peace and prayer for patients and healthcare workers at the old hospital, it provided an ideal backdrop for the King’s message. The chapel’s rich atmosphere reflected the theme of reflection and care that played a big role in King Charles’s speech.
A significant focus of the address was the King’s gratitude towards healthcare professionals. After several members of the Royal Family faced health challenges this year, including King Charles’s own cancer treatment, he felt it was important to highlight the efforts of doctors and nurses.
Personal Thanks to Healthcare Workers
King Charles started treatment for an unspecified type of cancer earlier in the year. During his speech, he made sure to thank the “selfless” doctors and nurses who cared for him and his family. He also extended gratitude to those who offered words of sympathy and support during a difficult time.
He said, “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.”
The King also praised the support shown by the public, saying, “I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.”
Reflecting on Community Strength
In the rest of his speech, King Charles shared his pride in how communities came together in the face of anger and lawlessness. This came after a series of riots that followed the tragic Southport stabbings, where three girls lost their lives.
He expressed, “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.”
