After a challenging year marked by cancer diagnoses for both King Charles and Kate Middleton, the King’s annual Christmas message will focus on celebrating healthcare workers and community strength. King Charles, 76, received a cancer diagnosis in February 2024 following a procedure for a benign enlarged prostate. His treatment is ongoing and expected to continue into 2025. The Princess of Wales, 42, also faced a cancer diagnosis in March 2024 after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. She announced the completion of her chemotherapy treatment in September.
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King Charles’ Christmas message, broadcast annually at 3 p.m. U.K. time, will not only acknowledge the dedication of healthcare professionals but also commend communities that united following the tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport, England, in July. The riots that ensued highlighted the need for solidarity and resilience, themes the King will address in his speech. The Guardian reports that the message will reflect on overcoming challenges at the international, national, and personal levels through community support.
The chosen location for filming this year’s message holds significant symbolism. Fitzrovia Chapel, situated within the former Middlesex Hospital, was where Princess Diana opened London’s first dedicated AIDS ward. The hospital, demolished in 2008, represents a poignant connection to both healthcare and community. This marks the first time in 18 years that the Christmas broadcast has been filmed outside a royal residence.
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According to Carla Whalen, chair of the Fitzrovia Chapel Foundation, the chapel’s atmosphere of “calm reflection” and its association with health and care make it a fitting location for the King’s message. King Charles reportedly provided specific criteria for the filming location, emphasizing connections to health, community, and interfaith solace. He selected Fitzrovia Chapel without a prior visit, based on these criteria, and was reportedly impressed by its beauty upon arrival.
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The King’s address was recorded on December 11th. The Christmas tree featured in the broadcast, adorned with sustainable decorations, will be donated to the Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support’s Can You C Me? project, highlighting the King’s commitment to addressing healthcare inequalities. The tree will ultimately be placed in the Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham, under the patronage of Queen Camilla. A source revealed that the location choice reflects the dominant themes of health, community unity, and spiritual reflection that the King wished to convey.
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The historical significance of Middlesex Hospital, opened in 1935 by King George VI, adds another layer to the chosen location. This year’s Christmas broadcast is King Charles’ third since ascending the throne in September 2022. Previous messages were filmed at St. George’s Chapel and Buckingham Palace. The Christmas message, initiated by King George V in 1932 and televised for the first time by Queen Elizabeth in 1957, serves as an enduring tradition, offering the monarch an opportunity to connect with the public and reflect on the past year.
