King Charles defended after people point out one issue in his 2025 Christmas speech

For many Brits and royal fans further afield, King Charles III’s annual Christmas speech is a major part of their jam-packed day of festivities.

Usually, the 77-year-old reining monarch takes the opportunity to reflect on the past year's ups and downs, as well as share any major updates with people watching from the telly at home.

This year's address marks Charles' fourth time doing the tradition, which has been going strong for decades now. King George V originated the tradition of the royal Christmas speech way back in 1932. Queen Elizabeth II, Charles's late mother, televised it for the first time in 1957 and delivered 69 speeches over her reign.

Since 1960, the speeches have been recorded in advance so they can be sent to Commonwealth countries and broadcast at the optimal local viewing time.

Last year, Charles switched up tradition by filming the speech outside of a royal residence, which hadn’t been done since 2006, deciding to instead film at Fitzrovia Chapel, Pearson Square, in London - the former chapel of Middlesex Hospital.

This year, he recorded the 10-minute speech at the Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey in London.

The chapel has a highly layered, rich royal history as a pilgrimage church, meaning people are often drawn to it for religious journeys or to visit important relics.

Historically, pilgrims are drawn to this ancient abbey to honour the legacy of Edward the Confessor, whose Shrine is located there.

The Lady Chapel is also the burial site of 15 Kings and Queens, including Elizabeth I, Mary I, and Mary, Queen of Scots.

During today's speech, which aired in the UK at 3pm, Charles urged the nation to 'never lose sight' in a divisive world of the Second World War values of 'courage and sacrifice' and community spirit.

In the wake of the Bondi Beach shootings and the Manchester synagogue attack, Charles also praised the 'spontaneous bravery' of those who put themselves in 'harm’s way to defend others'.

And the King referenced the impact new technologies can have on wellbeing and community cohesion as the world spins 'ever faster', suggesting the festive period might be a moment to recharge and for those communities to grow stronger.

The address, recorded on December 11th, made no reference to Charles' recent 'good news' announcement about reducing his cancer treatment, reflecting his wish for his message to mirror society’s experiences during the past 12 months.

There was a strong religious element in the address to the nation and Commonwealth from the King, a committed Anglican Christian, whose key theme was pilgrimage, and he emphasised the Biblical journeys made by Mary and Joseph, arriving 'homeless' in Bethlehem, and the three wise men and shepherds to pay homage to the baby Jesus.

Charles' recent state visit to the Vatican celebrated the Papal Jubilee year themed 'Pilgrims of Hope', and Westminster Abbey is a pilgrimage church as it contains the shrine of the canonised Edward the Confessor, whose tomb has attracted pilgrims for centuries.

Charles added: "To this day, in times of uncertainty, these ways of living are treasured by all the great faiths and provide us with deep wells of hope: of resilience in the face of adversity; peace through forgiveness; simply getting to know our neighbours and, by showing respect to one another, creating new friendships."

He rounded off the speech, saying: "So, with these words and my whole heart, I wish you all a most peaceful and very happy Christmas."

A few people weren't all that happy with the speech as one X user hit out: "King's speech = yawnfest."

"The King’s speech was exactly what we all expected, wasn’t it?" penned a second, while a third jabbed: "Thoroughly bland speech by the King this year."

Others, however, couldn't have disagreed more.

"Well the King’s Speech as much better than I expected!" praised a fourth, while a fifth chimed in: "The King's speech was actually pretty good!"

"Lovely Christmas Speech from our King!!" gushed another.

And a final X user echoed: "Beautiful speech from the King. Merry Christmas one and all!"