King Charles III is set to deliver his annual festive message from a historic and deeply symbolic location this year, breaking with the tradition of broadcasting from a royal residence. The 2025 King's Christmas broadcast will be transmitted to the nation from Westminster Abbey at 3pm on Christmas Day, both on television and radio.
A Historic Setting for a Personal Message
This marks the monarch's fourth Christmas message since ascending the throne and only the second time it has been staged outside a royal home. The chosen venue, Westminster Abbey, aligns perfectly with the broadcast's central theme of pilgrimage. The Abbey has been a site of spiritual journey for centuries, most notably as the home of the shrine of Edward the Confessor, the saint-king who died in 1066.
The filming took place within the Abbey's magnificent Lady Chapel, a late medieval construction commissioned by Henry VII. This chapel serves as the final resting place for 15 kings and queens. The visual backdrop for the King's address is both sustainable and poignant, featuring repurposed Christmas trees from the Princess of Wales' carol concert held earlier in December. This setting is completed by the chapel's spectacular fan-vaulted ceiling and the colourful banners of the Order of the Bath.
A Move Away from Royal Settings
It is understood that the King personally requested a filming location distinct from a traditional royal setting. Suggestions for alternative venues were provided by both the BBC, which produced this year's broadcast, and the royal household. This decision continues a pattern established in 2024, when the King's message was recorded at Fitzrovia Chapel. That location saw a significant surge in visitor numbers following last year's broadcast, attributed to its historical link to Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Christmas broadcast remains one of the rare constitutional moments where the monarch speaks without government advice, offering a platform for personal reflection. The message is written by the King himself and typically combines a strong religious framework with reflections on contemporary issues and personal experiences.
Timing and Significance
The broadcast will air at the familiar time of 3pm on Christmas Day, a slot long-associated with the sovereign's address to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. By choosing Westminster Abbey—a site synonymous with coronations, royal weddings, and burials—King Charles imbues his 2025 message with a profound sense of history and continuity, while the theme of pilgrimage suggests a focus on shared national and spiritual journeys.
