King Charles III’s decision to deliver his Christmas message from outside a royal residence has been highlighted as “incredibly rare” by GB News Royal Correspondent Cameron Walker.
Speaking on GB News, Cameron noted that Queen Elizabeth II only delivered her Christmas message away from a royal residence three times during her entire reign.
This year’s broadcast marked the first time King Charles has chosen to break from the traditional royal setting, opting instead for the Fitzrovia Chapel in London.
The move represents a significant departure from royal custom for the monarch’s annual Christmas Day address to the nation.
Cameron Walker reacted to the speech
GB NEWS
The Fitzrovia Chapel, formerly part of Middlesex Hospital, holds particular significance as King Charles’s grandfather, King George VI, laid its foundation stone in 1928.
The chapel has since been transformed into a vibrant community space for quiet reflection, discovery and celebration.
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The Christmas tree featured in the broadcast carried special meaning, having been donated to Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Can You C Me?’ project.
The tree will find its permanent home at the Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham, recognised as the United Kingdom’s oldest hospice.
Cameron Walker joined Darren Grimes on GB News
GB NEWS
According to Cameron, the King’s speech had a significant focus on healthcare, reflecting the personal challenges faced by the Royal Family this year.
“The huge theme was community and indeed health,” he explained on GB News.
GB News’s royal correspondent highlighted how the King paid tribute to medical professionals, noting his gratitude for “the selflessness of the doctors and nurses” who provided support throughout the year.
Cameron emphasised how the monarch specifically thanked medical teams for providing “strength, care and comfort” to both himself and the Princess of Wales during their respective health challenges.
The speech acknowledged the “uncertainties and anxieties of illness” experienced by the Royal Family.
Cameron noted that the King’s message extended beyond royal health matters to address universal human experiences.
“Of course, the King and the Princess of Wales are not the only people in the world going through cancer diagnosis in the year of 2024,” the royal correspondent said.
He highlighted the King’s broader message about shared human experiences, quoting Charles’s words: “all of us go through some sort of suffering at some point in our lives.”
