King Charles III has made a historic change for his 2025 Christmas broadcast, choosing Westminster Abbey’s Lady Chapel as the venue for the televised address that airs on Christmas Day.
The 2025 Christmas Broadcast
On Dec. 11, the monarch filmed the holiday address at the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey. It is the first time the broadcast has been filmed at that location and only the second time the Christmas speech was recorded outside of a royal residence since 2006. In 2024, the King’s address was filmed at Fitzrovia Chapel, located at London’s Pearson Square.
Hardest-Working Royal Title
King Charles officially took over the unofficial title of hardest-working royal from Princess Anne. According to the Court Circular of 2025, the official record of royal engagements, the King carried out 532 engagements over the last 12 months, 50 more than his 75-year-old sister.
Cancer Treatment Update
The achievement comes amid King Charles’ cancer treatments. Buckingham Palace first shared news of his cancer diagnosis and treatment in February 2024. In a recent announcement, the King said his treatments would be reduced in 2026 “thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders.'”
During Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer special on Dec. 12, he added:
> “This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years,” he said in a message, “testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the 50 percent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.”
He emphasized early detection, continuing:
> “I know, too, what a difference it has made in my own case, enabling me to continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment.”
He added, “A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance,” His Majesty said, “or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow.”
He concluded, “Your life-or the life of someone you love-may depend upon it.”
Key Takeaways
- The 2025 Christmas address was filmed for the first time at Westminster Abbey’s Lady Chapel, marking a historic venue change.
- King Charles carried out 532 royal engagements in the past year, surpassing Princess Anne by 50 and earning the unofficial title of hardest-working royal.
- The King’s cancer treatment plan will be reduced in 2026, thanks to early diagnosis and effective intervention, while he continues to lead an active life.
The combination of a new broadcast location, a record-setting workload, and a public update on his health underscores a year of significant milestones for the monarch.
