King Charles Filmed Christmas Speech in Former Hospital Chapel, a Surprise Move After 'Brutal' Year

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles, recording his 2024 Christmas message from Fitzrovia Chapel.Photo:The Royal Family/X

The Royal Family/X

King Charlesswitched up tradition this Christmas and recorded his traditional holiday broadcast as sovereign from a former hospital chapel instead of a royal residence at the end of a difficult year in which he andKate Middletonwere both diagnosed with cancer.

On Dec. 23, it emerged that the King, 76, filmed the address at Fitzrovia Chapel, the former chapel of Middlesex Hospital in London. PEOPLE understands that the speech will reflect on national, international and personal challenges, and how they can be surmounted through mutual community support.

The Telegraphwas first to report the news of the unique location, which marks a departure from past precedent in recent years. The upcoming broadcast will be the first time in 18 years that the monarch’s Christmas speech wasn’t recorded at a royal estate, and Fitzrovia Chapel was a poignant choice, constructed at the heart of the hospital as a place for patients and staff to seek peace. King Charles' grandfather,King George VI, laid the foundation stone when the hospital was rebuilt in 1928, and though the medical hub shuttered in 2005, the chapel remains open to the public today as a place of meditation.

Fitzrovia Chapel in London.Getty

Getty

“It is also a non-denominational chapel, which of course, is a key focus,” a royal source toldThe Telegraphabout the church. “Even though this is a Christmas address, His Majesty likes to reach out to those of all faiths and none.”

King Charles leaves St Peter’s Church in London on Dec. 4, 2024.MINA KIM/POOL/AFP/Getty

MINA KIM/POOL/AFP/Getty

The Christmas broadcast is one of the British sovereign’s most famous holiday traditions, which King George V kicked off in 1932 and Queen Elizabeth televised for the first time in 1957. The broadcasts have been recorded in advance since 1960 and are shared as a way for the sovereign to reflect on current events, the meaning of Christmas and the landscape of the world’s stage.

The King’s upcoming speech will air on Christmas Day, on the heels of a yearPrince Williampreviously described as “brutal” as both his father the King and wife Princess Kate dealt with cancer diagnoses.

King Charles' cancer treatment is ongoing and will continue into next year.

“His treatment has been moving in a positive direction and as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year,” palace sources said on Dec. 20.

Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales, 42, is gradually resuming some royal duties after sharing in March that she wasundergoing chemotherapy treatmentand updating in September that shecompleted chemo.

The Wales family at Together at Christmas on Dec. 6, 2024.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty

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In a remarkably personal comment behind the scenes at herTogether at Christmascarol service on Dec. 6, Princess Kate said, “I didn’t know this year was going to be the year that I’ve just had,” seemingly referring to her health journey.

Though the Prince and Princess of Wales didn’t go to the King’s pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace last week, they’re expected to bring their children to celebrate Christmas at Sandringham with the King on Dec. 25, a much-loved royal Chritmas ritual. The family will hopefully make the traditional march to and from church at St. Mary Magdalene and later watch the King’s speech at 3 p.m. U.K. time after a festive feast.

Step inside the royals' holiday traditions with PEOPLE’s Special Edition:Christmas at the Palace: A Royal Family Album.

source: people.com