Royal Christmas message: What is it and when does King Charles do it?
- Published
In 2023 King Charles III delivered his first King's Christmas message in 2022, before his Coronation
It won't just be family and friends wishing you a Merry Christmas on 25 December, the King will too.
Every Christmas Day the monarch sends the country a special Christmas message, usually broadcast on TV at 3pm.
It's a tradition that was started in 1932 by King George V.
The Queen's Christmas message was first televised in 1957
When the tradition started there was no television to watch the Royal Christmas message on, it was just audio and was broadcast on the radio by the BBC.
In 1952 the King's mother, Queen Elizabeth II gave her first Christmas message and then in 1957 it was broadcast on TV for the first time.
The message is now shown on television, radio, and the internet via various providers.
Queen Elizabeth II delivered the annual Christmas message for every year of her reign
In the message, the monarch typically talks about current issues, as well as what Christmas means to them, and to the listeners and viewers.
However, they aren't usually busy giving the speech on the festive day itself - as since 1960 it has been recorded in advance.
The coronation for the King and Queen was held on 6 May 2023
When Charles III gave the Christmas message in 2023, it was his first as King.
In it, he talked about the shared values across different religions and how, in time of wars around the world, it was important to remember thigs that bring us together.
King Charles also talked of protecting the planet as being a duty, saying looking after the planet "a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none. We care for the Earth for the sake of our children's children," he said.
He also spoke of helping those in need of help, whether strangers or one's own family, and praised the efforts of volunteers.