A Christmas speech from the British royal monarch has historically been a staple of British TV programming.
While most generations are used to the speech from the late Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in September 2022, we now hear from her son, King Charles III.
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But this year, the King broke royal protocol while giving the speech – and here’s why.
The speech usually comes from Buckingham Palace
Per royal protocol, the 10-minute royal speech, which airs on British TV at 3 P.M. on Christmas Day every year, usually takes place from somewhere in the royal estate.
Typically, the location is Buckingham Palace.
People are used to the location
With the royal speeches typically taking place from within the royal estate every year, people tend to talk about the same topics, which often involve the contents of the speeches and the photos of royal family members in the background.
This year, the King broke that protocol
Although it is not only tradition but also protocol to give the speech from within the royal estate, this year, the King opted to give his speech from elsewhere, breaking the royal protocol.
Instead, he gave his address from Fitzrovia Chapel.
Filming at the Middlesex Hospital
The King’s 2024 Christmas speech was pre-recorded on 11 December and filmed at Fitzrovia Chapel, a former chapel of the Middlesex Hospital now closed down.
This is the first time in 14 years since the Christmas tradition has occurred outside the royal estate.
Why Fitzrovia Chapel was picked
Fitzrovia Chapel is listed as a Grade II* chapel, which means it is of particular significance beyond the interests of its locals.
The chapel has mesmerizing decorations in its interior, and it offers a place of ‘peace, prayer, and reflection’ to all those who regularly visit its former hospital.
Acknowledging healthcare workers
This year, a significant part of King’s speech involved acknowledgment of the hard work put in by doctors and nurses across the country.
This comes after several family members of the Royal Family experienced battles with their health this year, including the King himself.
The King underwent treatment for cancer
Earlier this year, in February, King Charles III started treatment for an unspecified form of cancer; he therefore found it necessary to acknowledge the hard work of healthcare workers in his end-of-year speech.
The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, also underwent chemotherapy this year.
The Princess is now cancer-free
Having revealed that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in March of 2024, the Princess of Wales also announced she was cancer-free later in September of the same year.
These difficult health battles undergone by members of the Royal Family prompted the King to pay tribute to healthcare workers nationwide.
The King gave his sincere gratitude
“From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed,” the King said.
He thanked everyone else too
“I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement,” King Charles III added.
Having faced various unforgiving battles with health this year, members of the Royal Family seem grateful for the healthcare workers who looked after them, enough to break royal protocol.
