Major change to King’s Christmas message for the first time in a decade
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King Charles will deliver this year’s Christmas message from a former hospital chapel. It’s the first time in a decade that the Christmas speech has been recorded somewhere that is not a royal palace or estate. In a year that the King has been treated for cancer, it’s understood he wanted somewhere that had a healthcare connection, the BBC reports.
![[London, United Kingdom - 21 March 2018: Interior of the restored Fitzrovia Chapel; Shutterstock ID 1094865761; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234120753-27eb.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Fitzrovia Chapel, in Pearson Square, in London’s West End, was previously part of Middlesex Hospital but is currently being used for exhibitions and community events for people of any faith or none at all. The 19th century building, decorated in the Gothic Revival style with mosaics and Byzantine influences, was kept and restored when the hospital was demolished.
It was announced in February that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and was beginning a course of treatment. Reports suggest the treatment will continue in the new year. During his visit with the Queen to a community event in Walthamstow Charles smiled and said ‘I’m still alive,’ when asked how he was.
The monarch personally took the decision to share his diagnosis and his experience in the hope it may help others. However, he has not revealed what type of cancer he is being treated for. The Christmas speech – which dates back to 1932 – was recorded earlier this month and will be broadcast on TV and radio at 3pm on Christmas Day.
