The King’s Christmas message will focus on the efforts of healthcare workers following his cancer diagnosis and hail community cohesion in the wake of riots after the Southport stabbings, it has been reported.
Charles’s annual address to the nation will highlight some of the major events from the past 12 months, an eventful period for the royal family that also saw the Princess of Wales treated for cancer.
The Daily Telegraph has reported about the main issues the festive speech will focus on and revealed it was recorded earlier this month at the Fitzrovia Chapel, a former chapel of the Middlesex Hospital now closed and demolished.
For more than 100 years the chapel was a place of solace for patients, medical staff and the public and today is a much valued space for all in the area.
The paper said it understands the chapel reflects the key themes of the address – healthcare and community.
Charles recorded his message on December 11, one of the rare times a building outside the royal estate has been used, with the late Queen recording her message at Southwark Cathedral in 2006 and at Combermere Barracks in Windsor three years earlier.
The Grade II* listed chapel in central London close to Oxford Street has Byzantine-inspired architecture and is richly decorated in a Gothic revival style with marble and more than 500 stars in the gold leaf ceiling.
When is the King’s Speech?
His Majesty’s pre-recorded speech will air on BBC, ITV and Sky News from 3pm on Christmas Day and will last for around 10 minutes.
You will also be able to listen on BBC Radio 4 at the same time with replays of the speech expected later in the day.
BBC One Christmas Day TV schedule
- 3pm - The King's Speech
- 3.10pm - The Weakest Link Christmas Special
- 3.55pm - Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special
- 5.10pm - Doctor Who: Joy to the World
- 6.10pm - Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
- 7.30pm - EastEnders
- 8.00pm - Call The Midwife Christmas Special (Part One)
- 9.00pm - Gavin & Stacey: The Finale
- 10.35pm - EastEnders
ITV1 Christmas Day TV schedule
- 3.00pm - The King's Speech
- 3.10pm - Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
- 5.25pm - Bullseye Christmas Special
- 6.20pm - ITV News, Weather
- 6.30pm - Emmerdale
- 7.00pm - Coronation Street
- 8.00pm - The Chase: Christmas Special
- 9pm - Downton Abbey: A New Era
Channel 4 Christmas Day TV schedule
- 2.45pm - The Italian Job
- 4.50pm - Alternative Christmas Message
- 4.55pm - Channel 4 News
- 5.00pm - Miracle on 34th Street
- 7.05pm - The Piano at Christmas
- 8.20pm - Raiders of the Lost Ark
- 10.35pm - Notting Hill
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