The King’s annual address to the nation has been filmed at Westminster Abbey.

The King’s annual Christmas message will highlight the crucial roles faith and duty have played for him this year, as he reflects on a happier and healthier year for the Royal Family. His annual address to the nation has been filmed at Westminster Abbey, to reflect this year’s key theme of pilgrimage and the King’s personal devotion to faith.

It marks the second year in a row that Charles, 77, has ditched tradition by recording his annual address to the nation outside a royal residence or estate. Last year he filmed the message at the stunning Fitzrovia Chapel in Central London, a former hospital chapel, after he and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer at the start of 2024.

This year, he is expected to focus on peace and togetherness after the past 12 months brought a happier, healthier year for himself and his beloved daughter in law, the Princess of Wales.

The deeply religious King has chosen to focus his Christmas message pilgrimage, in a year that has seen him receive welcome news about his cancer treatment and become the first reigning monarch in over 500 years to publicly pray with the Pope.

He has also continued to actively work with other faiths, visiting Hindu worshippers at a Diwali celebration in London, supporting the Jewish community after the deadly terror attack at a synagogue in Manchester and said the world needs to better respect and understand the Muslim faith.

For His Majesty, religion is a deeply personal matter and a crucial element of his public duty, which he considers as promoting mutual understanding among all faiths.

In a still from the recording of the King’s festive message, Charles stands in front of two resplendent Christmas trees that have been repurposed from Catherine’s Together at Christmas carol concert, held at the abbey earlier in December before the King’s message was filmed.

The Anglican church in the heart of central London is best-known for being the location of royal weddings, coronations and funerals for centuries.

King Charles’s Christmas message was filmed at Westminster Abbey (Image: PA)

It also has a long history as a site of pilgrimage for those paying homage at the tomb of Edward the Confessor, whose shrine lies at the heart of the abbey built in the King’s honour.

Edward, who reigned for 24 years before dying in 1066, was said to be a monk-like monarch believed to have the power to heal and was canonised by Pope Alexander III in 1161 – with his tomb attracting pilgrims over the centuries.

The abbey’s Lady Chapel is the location for the King’s broadcast, a late medieval construction built for Henry VII and the burial place of 15 kings and queens, including Charles II, Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, and it is also the official chapel of the Order of the Bath.

Out of view above the King’s head are the colourful banners of the chivalry order’s knights, hanging beneath the chapel’s spectacular fan-vaulted ceiling.

Princess Kate’s carol service was held at Westminster Abbey (Image: Getty)

It is understood the King asked for a filming location away from a royal setting and suggestions were made by the BBC, which produced the broadcast this year, and the royal household.

The monarch has delivered his festive message from a different location for every year of his reign so far.

His first was poignantly filmed in the Quire of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II was laid to rest a few months earlier.

The 2023 broadcast was recorded in the Centre Room at Buckingham Palace, with the view from the iconic main balcony seen behind.

Every year, the monarch sits down to pen the personal festive message, one of the rare times that he does not seek Government advice over its contents.

King Charles prayed with Pope Leo XIV this year (Image: PA)

It usually has a strong religious framework, reflects current issues and occasionally reflects on how the year has been for the family.

It is not known whether the broadcast was filmed before he got the good news about his health, having told the nation on December 12 that his cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year following a positive response to treatment and early diagnosis.

The King’s annual broadcast usually sees him reflect on key events that have taken place that year, so he is likely to look back on his state visits to Italy and the Vatican, hosting US President Donald Trump at Windsor and the commemorative events for the 80th anniversary of VE and VJ Day and his state visits to Italy and the Vatican.

And in all of his previous speeches he has reflected on the devastating conflicts around the world.

The King’s message will be broadcast as usual on television and radio at 3pm on Christmas Day.