Watch: Behind the scenes of the King’s speech – as his Christmas message is revealed
The Royal Family have released a sneak peek of King Charles’ recorded Christmas message.
The 12-second video shows Monarch behind the scenes as he prepares his message; A band is playing, a giant Christmas tree is decorated, and the crew is directing it as it prepares for a reading from a highway operator.
The broadcast can be watched from 15.00 on the Royal Family YouTube channel, BBC News, ITV News and Sky News.
A photo of the King making his pre-recorded message was released this week. He was smiling and rosy-cheeked, looking healthy.
For the second time in his reign, Charles, 77, recorded it outside the royal residence, this time inside Henry VII’s Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey, which 16th-century historian John Leland described as a ‘wonder of the world’.
The broadcast was pulled earlier this month after the Monarch was told by his doctors the good news that his cancer treatment would be greatly reduced in the new year.
Elegantly dressed in a pinstripe suit, matching blue tie and pocket square, King Charles looks happy and relaxed as he poses for two official portraits beneath the chapel’s magnificent late medieval fan-vaulted ceiling.
Royal Family releases glimpse into King Charles’ recorded Christmas message
The 12-second video shows behind the scenes of the Monarch preparing his message
Smiling and red-cheeked, the King looks in good health as he shoots his annual Christmas message in the Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey
The King’s message will be broadcast at 15.00 on Christmas Day
Westminster Abbey, which has had strong royal ties since its foundation, remains an important pilgrimage church, which is the central theme of Her Majesty’s message this year.
Pilgrims visit here specifically to remember the life and legacy of Edward the Confessor, whose Shrine is located in the heart of the Abbey.
The Henry VII Lady Chapel is also the burial place of fifteen Kings and Queens, including Elizabeth I, Mary I and Mary, Queen of Scots.
Below the central aisle is the Hanover vault where George II and members of his family are buried. The Stuart vault is in the south aisle, where Charles II, William III and Mary II and the Queen Mother lie in repose.
Around the walls of the Lady Chapel are 95 statues of saints dating from the chapel’s 16th-century construction, and under the hinged seats of the wooden stalls are beautifully carved miscarriages that would have provided support for the clergy during services.
At the east end is the Royal Air Force chapel, which features a stained glass window by Hugh Easton depicting the badges of fighter squadrons participating in the Battle of Britain in 1940.
The King’s Christmas broadcast to the United Kingdom, the Kingdoms and the Commonwealth will be shown on Christmas Day. The BBC has prepared this year’s speech.
Charles also recorded his Christmas message away from the Royal residence last year, filming it at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London.
For the second time in his reign, Charles, 77, recorded it outside the royal residence, this time inside Henry VII’s Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey.
Henry VII’s Lady Chapel was described as ‘the wonder of the world’ by 16th-century historian John Leland. It is also the burial place of fifteen Kings and Queens.
Earlier this month, the King revealed he had received huge support in his battle with cancer, describing it as a ‘personal blessing’.
In an unprecedented video message, Charles said his treatment will be significantly reduced in the New Year.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman did not use the word ‘remission’ but confirmed Her Majesty was responding ‘remarkably well’ to treatment after being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of the disease 22 months ago.
He has been receiving weekly treatment since then.
Although medical intervention will continue for the foreseeable future, his doctors have said it will now move to the ‘precautionary phase’ and its regularity will decrease significantly.
Her Majesty is currently at her private estate, Sandringham, in Norfolk, where she and Queen Camilla and her immediate family will gather to exchange gifts on Wednesday.
On Christmas Day, they will celebrate the festive season with their traditional march to church, followed by turkey and all the trimmings and parlor games such as charades.
