On December 11, King Charles III made history by filming his annual Christmas address at the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey, a first for the venue and only the second time the speech has been recorded outside a royal residence since 2006.
A New Setting for the Christmas Address
The broadcast, which airs on Christmas Day, was filmed at the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey. This marks the first time the address has been filmed at this location and only the second occasion the Christmas speech has taken place outside a royal residence since 2006. The 77-year-old monarch had previously filmed his 2024 address at Fitzrovia Chapel located at London’s Pearson Square.
The King’s Record-Breaking Engagements
In a recent announcement, King Charles officially took over the unofficial title of hardest-working royal from Princess Anne. Over the past 12 months, the King carried out 532 royal engagements, 50 more than his 75-year-old sister, according to the Court Circular of 2025, the official record of royal engagements.
Cancer Treatment Updates and a Message of Hope
The achievement comes amid King Charles’ cancer treatments. Buckingham Palace first shared the news of his cancer diagnosis and treatment in February 2024. The King recently announced that 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, the monarch delivered a heartfelt message:
“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 during Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer special Dec. 12, “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.”
Emphasizing the importance of early detection, the royal continued, “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.”
“A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance,” His Majesty added, “or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow.”
He added, “Your life-or the life of someone you love-may depend upon it.”
Key Takeaways
- King Charles III filmed his Christmas address at Westminster Abbey’s Lady Chapel for the first time.
- The King surpassed Princess Anne with 532 engagements, earning the unofficial title of hardest-working royal.
- He announced a reduction in cancer treatments in 2026, citing early diagnosis and effective intervention.
The King’s decision to film the broadcast in a historic setting, coupled with his record-setting workload and candid discussion of his health, underscores a year of significant milestones for the 77-year-old monarch.
