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
