King Charles Reflects on Family's Health Struggles and 'Uncertainties and Anxieties of Illness' in Emotional Christmas Speech

Mar. 15, 2025

King Charles' 2024 Christmas speech.Photo:The Royal Family/X

The Royal Family/X

King Charlesreflected on the royal family’s challenging 2024 in his annual Christmas speech, following a year in which both he and his daughter-in-lawKate Middletonwere diagnosed with cancer.

On Wednesday, Dec. 25, King Charles delivered his annual Christmas address, continuing the longstanding tradition with a significant change in setting. For the first time in 18 years, the monarch’s speech was filmed outside of a royal residence, choosing instead to record it at Fitzrovia Chapel, the former chapel of Middlesex Hospital in London. The chapel’s poignant history added a personal touch to the broadcast.

“I am speaking to you today from the Chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London — now itself a vibrant community space — and thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart, care for others, often at some cost to themselves,” the King said.

“From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed. I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement,” he added.

King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024.Victoria Jones/Shutterstock

Victoria Jones/Shutterstock

The King’s Christmas speech, which was broadcastfollowing the royal family’s annual walk to church in Sandringham, comes at the close of whatPrince Williamdescribed as “brutal” year, with both his father, Charles, and wife, Kate, facing cancer diagnoses.

King Charles' treatment is ongoing and will continue into the new year. According to palace sources, “His treatment has been moving in a positive direction and as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year.”

Meanwhile, Princess Kate, 42, is slowly resuming royal duties after revealing in March that she was undergoing chemotherapy. In September, she shared an update that shecompleted chemo.

Elsewhere in the speech, Charles shared his thoughts on the importance of compassion and community amid difficult times.

“All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical,” he said. “The degree to which we help one another — and draw support from each other, be we people of Faith or of none — is a measure of our civilization as Nations. This is what continually impresses me, as my family and I meet with, and listen to, those who dedicate their lives to helping others.”

King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024.Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty

He also reflected on ongoing global conflicts, expressing empathy for those enduring the effects of war and violence, saying, “On this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict — in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere — pose a daily threat to so many people’s lives and livelihoods.”

“We also think of the humanitarian organizations working tirelessly to bring vital relief. After all, the Gospels speak so vividly of conflict and teach the values with which we can overcome it. The example that Jesus gave us is timeless and universal. It is to enter the world of those who suffer, to make a difference to their lives and so bring hope where there is despair,” the King continued.

King Charles, Queen Camilla, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Dec. 25, 2024.OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty

OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty

In closing, the King remarked: “The message of the angels to the shepherds — that there should be peace on Earth — in fact echoes through all faiths and philosophies. It rings true to this day for people of goodwill across the world. And so it is with this in mind that I wish you, and all those you love, a most joyful and peaceful Christmas.”

In a further nod to charity, the festive Christmas tree that appeared behind the King in the address was adorned with sustainable decorations and was later donated to the Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support’s “Can You C Me?” project, where it will be displayed at the Royal Trinity Hospice in Clapham. Queen Camilla has supported the hospice as its patron since 2006, and the King is a longtime patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, having visited the Macmillan Cancer Centre earlier this year for his first royal engagement following his cancer diagnosis.

In his first Christmas speech — delivered on Dec. 25, 2022 — the King paid tribute to his beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth, who died three months prior and who was so closely associated with the yearly tradition.

His first address was poignantly filmed at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, where Queen Elizabeth and her husband of 73 years,Prince Philip, are buried.

Queen Elizabeth poses for a photo after she recorded her annual Christmas Day message, in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in a picture released on Dec. 24, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

King Charles during the recording of his first Christmas broadcast in the Quire of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, on Dec. 13, 2022 in Windsor, England.Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty

The King, 76,broke tradition againin his second Christmas speech, delivered on Dec. 25, 2023. For that speech, Charles stood beside a living tree for the very first time, a nod to his ongoing environmental efforts. This time, the message was delivered from Buckingham Palace.

King Charles poses during the recording of his Christmas message at Buckingham Palace on Dec. 7, 2023 in London, England.Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool /Getty

Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool /Getty

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In what would becomeher final Christmas message— delivered on Dec. 25, 2021 — Queen Elizabeth mourned the death of her husband, Prince Philip, the April prior.

“Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand why,” she said in her speech.

“But for me, in the months since the death of my beloved Philip, I have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work — from around the country, the Commonwealth and the world,” the Queen continued. “His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation – were all irrepressible. That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him.”

“But life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings; and as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas,” she said. By the next Christmas, the two would be reunited.

A former palace staffer previously said of Queen Elizabeth’s many Christmas addresses that “She was a one-take wonder — she was extraordinary.”

source: people.com