Overview
- The King’s prerecorded speech aired at 3 p.m. on Dec. 25 from Westminster Abbey’s Lady Chapel, a deliberate shift away from palace rooms for the second year in a row.
- He emphasized the “pilgrimage of life” with appeals to compassion, unity and interfaith dialogue, after saying earlier this month that his cancer treatment is responding with reductions planned in 2026.
- Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte performed Erland Cooper’s Holm Sound in a segment filmed at Windsor on Dec. 5 with the composer present, which ITV broadcast on Dec. 24 and the Waleses shared on Instagram.
- Kate’s clip paired the duet with a message that Christmas is rooted in simple, human acts of love, and she thanked the public for their warmth during her illness and recovery.
- The royals attended the traditional Sandringham church service, with Charles and Camilla leading the party; Prince Andrew did not take part, while Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were present.