King Charles will break from tradition with Christmas Day speech this year
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King Charles will break with tradition with his Christmas Day message this year by delivering it from a former hospital chapel in London rather than the royal estate. The King will give the address to the nation from Fitzrovia Chapel amid his ongoing treatment for cancer.
![[King's Christmas broadcast]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2024/12/23/13/42/Kings-Christmas-broadcast-odvp3ve1.jpeg?quality=75&auto=webp&width=960)
The message will focus on the efforts of healthcare workers and will also hail communities who came together in solidarity in the aftermath of rioting, following the fatal Southport stabbings of three young girls. The chapel in Pearson Square in central London was part of the demolished Middlesex Hospital where Diana, Princess of Wales opened London's first dedicated Aids ward.
It is understood the pre-recorded speech will reflect on international, national and personal challenges and how they can be overcome by communities supporting one another. Carla Whalen, chair of the Fitzrovia Chapel Foundation's board of trustees, said about the filming of the King’s message: "I assume that this space being one of calm reflection, but also thinking about health, about care, about the medical profession, would make it a pretty apt choice.".
In keeping with the King's desire to go out into the community, he tasked the team organising the broadcast to find a site away from the royal estate. He gave them a criteria the building must fulfil, including having health connections, a strong community presence and providing all faiths and none a place of solace and reflection.
