King Charles delivers the annual Christmas message

King Charles delivers the annual Christmas message – live 3pm

This year, the monarch is taking a break from tradition opting not to record from a location within the royal estate.

The message recorded by Sky News at the Fitzrovia Chapel in central London, after the King personally requested a different location, outside the royal estate.

The venue is a tiny building, originally for staff and patients of the now-demolished Middlesex Hospital.

It is clear he wants to make a statement with this year’s address.

The King focused on the efforts of healthcare workers following his cancer diagnosis and praised community cohesion in the wake of riots following the Southport stabbings.

Royal sources say his wish list for the setting included a connection with health, a space used by the whole community, and a venue with “spiritual solace.” The King also hoped for a royal link.

At the end of a year of change and challenge, it’s no surprise the King wanted to do things differently.