King Charles' Christmas speech for 2023 set to feature royal first - 9Honey

As is royal tradition, Christmas Day will see King Charles' annual Christmas speech broadcast throughout the UK and British colonies.

For his second year delivering the time-honoured speech, King Charles has introduced a new feature: a real Christmas tree.

For the first time, the tree standing behind the King as he delivers his speech is a living tree.

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King Charles III during the recording of his Christmas message at Buckingham Palace, London. (Getty)

It was decorated with natural and sustainable decorations including hand-turned wood, dried oranges, brown glass, pinecones and paper. The Christmas tree will be replanted after the broadcast.

Another special feature that viewers may notice during the speech is a bowl of potpourri resting on a table. This bowl was almost certainly acquired by George IV. The circular tazza-shaped bowl of Japanese lacquered wood with gilt bronze mounts is held by the Royal Collection Trust.

The message was filmed in the Centre Room at Buckingham Palace and opens onto the balcony which overlooks The Victoria Memorial and The Mall, where crowds gathered to celebrate The Coronation in May.

His Majesty The King's Christmas message will be broadcast on Christmas Day, Monday 25th December 2023, across radio, TV, and online.

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Charles is celebrating his second Christmas as King. (Getty)

Last year, for his first-ever Christmas speech, King Charles chose to record his message from the Quire of St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, a historic first that was likely a nod to the late Queen.

Meanwhile, Catherine, Princess of Wales' third annual Christmas carol concert is set to air on Christmas Eve in the United Kingdom.

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"Christmas is a time when we come together and celebrate the birth of a newborn baby," Catherine says in an introduction video released in the lead-up to the concert.

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Catherine, The Princess of Wales returns to Westminster Abbey to host a special Christmas carol service on Friday 8th December. (Supplied/BBC Studios/The Royal Foundation)

The concert, which was filmed in early December at Westminster Abbey, was attended by select members of the British royal family – but not King Charles III nor Queen Camilla – alongside 1500 special guests, who were invited in recognition of their work supporting babies and young families.

The guest list included midwives, health visitors, nursery teachers and baby bank volunteers.

This year's iteration of Catherine's annual Christmas concert – which is supported by The Royal Foundation – aligns closely with her Shaping Us initiative, which perhaps is why five-year-old Prince Louis finally got to make his debut at the service.

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2023-12-23 22:47:52Z
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