In a remarkable shift from royal tradition, King Charles has recorded his Christmas Day message this year from a church instead of the customary royal estate settings. This change comes amid the monarch’s personal battle with cancer, as shared by sources close to the royal family.

Opting to connect with the nation from a hospital chapel, King Charles has chosen the historic Fitzrovia Chapel in London for his televised speech scheduled for this Wednesday. The chapel, which some may remember as part of the former Middlesex Hospital, offers a fitting backdrop given the King’s current health challenges and the themes of his address.

This marks the first occurrence in nearly 14 years where the King’s speech is being filmed outside of the traditional royal estate, a testament to the evolving nature of the monarch’s role in the modern world.

The choice of the chapel highlights King Charles’s focus on healthcare and community issues, which are expected to be central themes in his speech according to reports from The Telegraph. The newspaper also indicates that the King will highlight the outstanding contributions of healthcare professionals during what has been a challenging year, one that saw both the King and his daughter-in-law diagnosed with cancer.

In his message, King Charles will express his deep gratitude and admiration for the entire healthcare community. Additionally, he plans to commend the nation for its solidarity in the wake of incidents such as the tragedies that have occurred in Southport. Through his address, King Charles hopes to unite and uplift the spirit of the country, reminding everyone of the shared strength and compassion that binds them together.

This historic departure from tradition underscores not only King Charles’s personal resilience but also his deep commitment to the well-being of the nation, embodying the spirit of service and unity that he’s known for.