This year, King Charles opted to break away from tradition with his annual Christmas broadcast. His Majesty chose to film the message at Fitzrovia Chapel in London, which was formerly the chapel of Middlesex Hospital, and spoke of togetherness, differences, and health.
Charles, 78, opened discussing the notion of pain: ‘We all go through suffering, be it physical or mental.’
The King’s Christmas message was filmed in a Chapel. (Royal Family)
He then turned to thinking of healthcare workers – ‘those who dedicate their lives to help others’ both in the UK and across the Commonwealth, and offered his ‘special heartfelt thanks’.
Such sentiment holds significant meaning given The King’s own cancer diagnosis, and that of The Princess of Wales. King Charles announced in February he had been diagnosed with cancer, following treatment for an enlarged prostate. The following month The Princess of Wales announced that she was undergoing a course of chemotherapy, of which she has since completed, and she has made a partial return to public duties. Catherine has conducted only a handful engagements this year including Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph and her annual carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Charles referenced the ‘uncertainties and anxieties’ of health news’ and daid that he was ‘deeply grateful’ for the messages of ‘sympathy and support’ members of the public have offered the family.
Part of the message naturally reflected on the conflicts going on around the world, and its ongoing divisive and fractious situation.
One particular reference was made to the riots that broke out across the UK following the stabbings in Stockport. Charles said that he was pleased not only ‘buildings but relationships’ were repaired by communities ‘in response to lawlessness’ witnessed.
‘Diversity of culture ethnicity and faith offers strength,’ he added, and that ‘through listening we learn to respect our differences’.
The location of the speech, Fitzrovia Chapel is now used as a space for quiet reflection, discovery and celebration, connecting diverse communities from all faiths or none.
The Monarch gave the team organising the broadcast a set of criteria to find the perfect location. The chapel had to have strong healthcare connections, a community presence and a place of solace and reflection for all faiths.
The place also had to have a royal connection. Ultimately Fitzrovia Chapel was chosen – with the link being in 1928, the future George VI laid the foundation stone of the building.
This year’s message also marks the first time in 14 years since the Christmas message was not filmed at a current royal residence. In 2010, the late Queen spoke from Hampton Court Palace. In recent years, the Monarch’s speeches have been filmed at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.
Here’s a glimpse inside the beautiful @Fitzroviachapel 👇🏻
(🎥 @DuncanCStone) pic.twitter.com/oqrFTpEqmy
— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) December 23, 2024
The featured Christmas tree in the broadcast was donated to Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Can You C Me?’ project and will be placed in the Royal Trinity Hospice, Clapham, the oldest hospice in the United Kingdom.
Carla Whalen, chair of the Fitzrovia Chapel Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said: ‘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’.
Speaking about the Monarch’s arrival at the Chapel, she said: ‘He was pretty surprised and kind of delighted, as far as I can tell, from coming in and discovering it. He was very interested in the marble, there’s 40 types of marble here and lots of different designs, and he wanted to learn about the history of the chapel and some of the people who are commemorated here’.
Footage of royal engagements throughout the year featured, including William and Catherine, Princess Anne and The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
It ended with a choir rendition of ‘Once in Royal David City’.
