King Charles III will deliver his fourth Christmas broadcast
away from his royal residences, continuing a trend that has marked
his early reign. This year, the address was filmed inside the Lady
Chapel of Westminster Abbey, the same site where Charles was
crowned in 2023.
The choice of setting reflects a central theme of the broadcast:
pilgrimage. Westminster Abbey has long been a place of spiritual
journey, attracting visitors each year who come to honour Edward
the Confessor, whose shrine lies at its heart. The Lady Chapel,
built by Henry VII in the early 16th century, is one of the Abbey’s
largest and most historic spaces, rich with symbolism and
heritage.
It is also a royal burial site, housing the remains of fifteen
monarchs, including Henry VII, Charles II and Queen Anne. The
chapel contains a smaller, sacred area dedicated to the Royal Air
Force, featuring a stained glass window depicting the badges of
squadrons that fought in the Battle of Britain in 1940. King
Charles is expected to reference both pilgrimage and the 80th
anniversary of the end of the Second World War in his address.
This marks the second consecutive year that the King has opted
to speak from outside a royal home. In 2024, the Christmas message
was recorded at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London, a former hospital
chapel associated with care and service. His first broadcast as
monarch, in 2022, was delivered from St George’s Chapel, Windsor,
the resting place of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. In 2023,
he spoke from Buckingham Palace, reflecting on his Coronation.
A photograph released by Buckingham Palace offers a first
glimpse of the 2025 broadcast. It shows the King standing amid the
vaulted interior of the Lady Chapel, with brightly lit Christmas
trees in the background – remnants from the Princess of Wales’s
Together at Christmas carol service, which is set to air on
Christmas Eve.
The full details of the message remain confidential until it is
broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day. The Christmas speech is
considered deeply personal, delivered without consultation with the
government, and is designed to resonate with the public on a
national and spiritual level.
Westminster Abbey’s history and royal significance make it a
fitting choice for this year’s address. From the Hanoverian vault
beneath the central aisle, where George II and his family rest, to
the Stuart vault in the south aisle, home to Charles II, William
III and Mary II, and Queen Anne, the chapel encapsulates centuries
of monarchy. By choosing this space, the King continues a subtle
shift in tradition, favouring historic, sacred venues over palace
walls to frame his reflections.
Additional reporting by Lydia
Starbuck
