King Charles III is set to deliver his 2025 Christmas message from a place steeped in British history and royal tradition: the Lady Chapel inside Westminster Abbey. Breaking away from the customary palace setting for the second year in a row, the King’s decision to record his annual address in this iconic location is more than a matter of scenery—it’s a deliberate nod to the message’s central theme of pilgrimage, as confirmed by Buckingham Palace and reported by Sky News and BBC.
The Lady Chapel, also known as the Henry VII Chapel, is a space that resonates with centuries of royal significance. Built in the 16th century, its walls are adorned with 95 statues of saints, and beneath its medieval vaulted ceiling lie the tombs of 15 former monarchs, including Elizabeth I, Mary I, Mary Queen of Scots, and Charles II. It’s a place where the past and present of the monarchy converge—a fitting backdrop for a speech that, according to BBC, is expected to reflect on the “pilgrimage of life” and the lessons it can teach about the pressing issues of today.
The tradition of a royal Christmas broadcast began in 1932 with King George V, who addressed the nation by radio. In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II delivered the first televised message, making the annual speech a staple of British Christmas Day, watched by millions at 3pm. King Charles’s choice of venue this year continues a recent trend of moving beyond the palace walls. Last year, his message was filmed in the Fitzrovia Chapel—a former hospital chapel—where he expressed gratitude to health workers, a gesture that resonated deeply during a period marked by public health challenges.
This year’s message, however, is shaped by a different kind of journey. Westminster Abbey, as Sky News noted, was chosen to reflect the theme of pilgrimage. The Abbey is not only the site of the King’s own coronation but also a place where pilgrims have gathered for centuries, particularly to honor Edward the Confessor, whose shrine lies at the heart of the church. The King’s decision to record his message here underscores a personal and national reflection—a journey through history, faith, and the shared experiences of a nation.
In the official photograph released by Buckingham Palace, King Charles stands before brightly lit Christmas trees, a detail that adds a festive touch to the solemnity of the setting. These trees, as reported by both Sky News and BBC, were originally brought in for the Princess of Wales’s "Together at Christmas" carol service, which was also filmed at the Abbey and set to be broadcast on Christmas Eve. Their presence during the King’s filming subtly connects the royal family’s various holiday traditions, weaving together moments of celebration, reflection, and unity.
The King’s interest in the location of his Christmas message is more than aesthetic. According to Sky News, Charles has taken a particular interest in selecting different venues for his annual address since ascending the throne, favoring places that resonate with the themes he wishes to highlight. The Lady Chapel, with its layers of royal and religious history, provides a powerful stage for a message that is, by tradition, one of the few speeches the monarch delivers without government advice or consultation. It’s a rare opportunity for the King to speak directly and personally to the nation—and, indeed, to the wider world.
Westminster Abbey has played a prominent role in the King’s recent public life. Earlier this month, it hosted the King’s Advent service, an event that brought together prayers and music from Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox Christian traditions. BBC reports that the service included a display of religious icons, and during a visit to the Vatican this year, the King presented Pope Leo with an icon of St Edward the Confessor—a saint with strong ties to the Abbey. These gestures reflect one of Charles’s longstanding commitments: building bridges between people of different faiths and backgrounds, a cause that has shaped much of his public service.
The Lady Chapel itself is more than a burial site; it is a living monument to the monarchy’s enduring presence in British life. Beneath its floor are the remains of not just queens and kings, but also the vaults of the Hanoverian and Stuart dynasties, where figures like George II, Charles II, William III, Mary II, and Queen Anne are interred. The chapel’s 95 statues of saints, dating back to its construction, watch over the proceedings, silent witnesses to the passage of centuries and the evolution of the monarchy’s role.
The annual Christmas message is always shrouded in secrecy until its broadcast, but palace sources and media reports suggest that this year’s address will be deeply personal. The King is expected to draw on the metaphor of pilgrimage, reflecting on both personal and collective journeys—perhaps a nod to his own health challenges, as BBC mentioned his recent "good news" about responding well to cancer treatment. The message is anticipated to look back on the year, touch on current events, and offer words of hope and unity, continuing a tradition that has adapted and endured for nearly a century.
For many, the King’s Christmas broadcast is a highlight of the holiday, a moment of national pause amid the festivities. It’s a chance to hear the monarch’s unfiltered thoughts—free from political influence—on the year that has passed and the challenges that lie ahead. The decision to film the message in Westminster Abbey, surrounded by reminders of both history and faith, adds a layer of meaning that is sure to resonate with viewers across the country and beyond.
As the clock strikes three on Christmas Day, millions will tune in to hear King Charles’s words, delivered from a place that has witnessed coronations, burials, and centuries of British history. The setting, the message, and the moment all combine to create an address that is both timeless and timely—a royal tradition that continues to evolve, reflecting the values and hopes of a changing nation.
With the Lady Chapel’s statues looking on and the echoes of centuries past in the air, King Charles’s 2025 Christmas message promises to be a poignant reflection on pilgrimage, unity, and the enduring spirit of the British people.
