King Charles will deliver his Christmas Day message from a church with links to the medical community, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday. This decision marks a departure from tradition as the 76-year-old monarch continues his cancer treatment.
In February, King Charles disclosed that he was battling an unspecified form of cancer. Despite this, he resumed public duties in April. Recent reports from a palace source indicate that his treatment is progressing positively and will extend into the following year.
Typically, the annual festive broadcast is recorded at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. However, this year, the King has chosen to film his message at Fitzrovia Chapel in central London. The chapel, previously a hospital chapel until its demolition in 1924, holds historical significance.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the location after it was initially reported by The Daily Telegraph. This decision by King Charles marks the first time in over a decade that the address has not been recorded at a royal residence.
Fitzrovia Chapel, a Grade II-listed building with Byzantine-inspired architecture, serves as a space for quiet reflection and celebration, welcoming diverse communities of all faiths. The chapel also has royal connections, as King Charles' grandfather, the Duke of York, laid the foundation stone during its reconstruction in 1928.
The choice of venue aligns with the King's deep spirituality and is particularly poignant given the health challenges faced by both him and his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, this year.
The annual speech is traditionally recorded earlier in December and broadcast on television and radio at 3 p.m. (10 a.m. ET) on Christmas Day. This year's message from King Charles is anticipated to carry special significance due to the unique setting and circumstances surrounding its recording.