The King’s Christmas message to be from Westminster Abbey
Tuesday, 23rd December 2025
His Majesty The King’s Christmas message, which will be broadcast on Christmas Day, was filmed in the Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey by the BBC.
This is the second time His Majesty has recorded his Christmas message outside a Royal residence, the first being at the Fitzrovia Chapel in London in 2024.
A still image of The King in the Abbey, taken from this year’s Christmas message, has been released by Buckingham Palace.
Westminster Abbey continues to be a major church of pilgrimage, a key theme of The King’s message this year. Pilgrims visit Westminster Abbey every year to remember the life and legacy of Edward the Confessor, whose Shrine lies at the heart of the Abbey.
The Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey is the burial place of 15 Kings and Queens including Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. Below the central aisle is the Hanoverian 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 Queen Anne lie buried.
The King’s Christmas message will be broadcast on Thursday 25th December at 3.00 pm GMT by the BBC, ITV, Sky News and other UK broadcasters. It will also be available on the Royal Family’s YouTube channel.
The Abbey on television and radio this Christmas
HRH The Princess of Wales returned to Westminster Abbey to host her fifth annual Together at Christmas carol service in early December. Watch the broadcast on 24th December at 7.25 pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
The St Margaret’s Choristers will be singing in a fundraising concert for the MS Society at Westminster Central Hall, performing alongside the Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir. This will be broadcast on Classic FM on Christmas Eve at 7.30pm.
