King Charles III has chosen the historic Westminster Abbey as the setting for his 2025 Christmas broadcast, delivering a subtle but heartfelt nod to his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, within the festive address.
A Festive Nod from the Abbey
The monarch recorded his annual message in the Abbey's Lady Chapel, with Christmas trees repurposed from Kate's 'Together at Christmas' carol service visible in the background. This carol concert was staged at the abbey in early December, before the King's speech was filmed. The inclusion of these decorations is seen as a warm, familial gesture towards the Princess of Wales.
This marks only the second time during his reign that Charles has opted to record his Christmas message away from Buckingham Palace. Royal sources indicate the move is intended to foster a greater sense of community, a central theme of this year's broadcast.
Historical Setting and Key Themes
Westminster Abbey holds profound significance for the monarchy and the King's personal message. It is the site where almost every English and British monarch has been crowned since 1066 and where the Prince and Princess of Wales married in 2011. The King's address, to be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day, is expected to reflect on themes of pilgrimage and community cohesion.
His priorities, often called the "four Cs"—Climate, Community, Culture, and Commonwealth—will form the speech's backbone. Following his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, a "fifth C" related to his health patronages was added to his working focus. The lifelong environmentalist is also anticipated to discuss the urgent need to protect the natural world.
Family Gatherings and Notable Absences
The King will host his closest family at Sandringham in Norfolk for the festive period. On Christmas Day, he and the Queen will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—for the traditional service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
However, the gathering will see notable absences. The King's brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will not attend. The monarch stripped them of their remaining royal titles in November due to their association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They are expected to spend a final Christmas together at Royal Lodge before moving to separate homes next year.
Additionally, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will once again be absent, spending the holiday in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The King is not expected to detail his ongoing health battles in the speech, having recently announced a reduction in his cancer treatment schedule for the New Year. He previously gave a significant update on his journey as part of the Channel 4 Stand Up to Cancer campaign on December 12.
