King Charles III's Christmas speech to break from tradition once again with another major relocation

King Charles III will deliver his Christmas message this year from Westminster Abbey, it has been confirmed.

The annual address is traditionally given from one of the royal residences, such as Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle or Sandringham House, but this year's speech has been filmed in the Lady Chapel of the historic church.

The King is expected to talk about the "pilgrimage" of life and the lessons it can teach about the issues of the day.

The change in location is significant, with Westminster Abbey being a location where pilgrims gather to remember to the life of Edward the Confessor.

It also won't mark the first time the King has filmed the speech on location, with last year's address being given in the Fitzrovia Chapel as he delivered a message focusing on the health battles he and the Princess of Wales faced in 2024.

This location in particular is in a chapel where 15 previous monarchs have been buried, including Elizabeth I, Mary I and Charles II. The Lady Chapel is also home to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, of which King Charles is the Sovereign Head.

The annual Christmas message from the monarch dates back to 1932 from King George V, in which he delivered a speech on the radio.

The first televised speech was delivered by Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, and is often seen as a time to reflect on national and global events while hearing directly from the monarch.

King Charles III made his first Christmas speech in 2022 – which focused on the death of his mother – from the Quire in St George's Chapel in Windsor.

The King's Speech will air at 3pm on Thursday 25th December on BBC One and iPlayer.

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