King Charles breaks royal tradition as he 'writes script himself' for Christmas Day message

King Charles breaks royal tradition as he 'writes script himself' for Christmas Day message

WATCH NOW: King Charles delivers Christmas Day message in 2022

GB News
Dorothy Reddin

By Dorothy Reddin


Published: 20/12/2023

- 11:04

The King is preparing for the second Christmas Speech of his reign

King Charles has broken with tradition and "written the script himself" for his Christmas Day message, a royal insider has claimed.

The King, 75, has also written the speech "without recourse to advisers", which is similar to what happened last year when Charles resisted attempts from officials to alter the text.


Royal insider Ephraim Hardcastle wrote: "With his Christmas Day message in the bag, King Charles has, according to my source, written the script himself without recourse to advisers.

"This follows last year's inaugural address to the nation when officials were only allowed to make minor alterations to fit with archive footage inserted by the producers."

King CharlesKing Charles breaks tradition and 'writes script himself' for Christmas Day message

Getty

He also told The Mail: "The King has learnt that he speaks best when he does so as off-the-cuff as possible, a talent he learnt relatively late in life."

During last year's Christmas message, Charles spoke about the loss of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022.

King Charles recorded his Christmas speech in the Quire of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the Queen and Prince Philip are buried.

He said: "I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father.

King Charles

King Charles delivering his Christmas speech in 2022​

PA

"I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family."

Whereas Queen Elizabeth II typically filmed her speech at Buckingham Palace, seated at a desk and surrounded by framed photos of Royal Family members.

Charles's decision to stand gave him an active stance during the speech.

But he also chose to have no family portraits in the background, which some commentators believed was intentional to avoid controversy.

Queen Camilla and King Charles

Queen Camilla and King Charles leading the Royal Family at Sandringham in 2022​

PA

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth delivering her final Christmas speech in 2021

PA

In his speech, King Charles praised the critical community work of "churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras".

He also acknowledged the "great anxiety and hardship" that people face today.

The monarch added: "Be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm."

The King's speech will play on GB News at 3pm on Christmas Day

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