LONDON (AP) — King Charles III led his family on a walk to church on Thursday, hours before he will deliver his annual Christmas address to Britain and the Commonwealth, expected to focus on the theme of pilgrimage.
Charles and Queen Camilla, along with Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate, and their children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, and extended family walked to St Mary Magdalene Church on the King’s private Sandringham estate.
The site is about 100 miles north of London, where Charles recorded the address of Westminster Abbey, a landmark that has hosted lavish coronations and royal weddings for more than 1,000 years.
The abbey is also the focus of the annual pilgrimage to the tomb of Edward the Confessor, which is located in the center of the church. Edward was a monk-like monarch who was canonized as a saint in 1161.
The Queen’s annual holiday message is watched by millions of people in the UK and across the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 56 independent countries, most of which have historical ties to the United Kingdom. The pre-recorded speech was broadcast at 3pm, as many families were enjoying the traditional Christmas lunch.
The speech was one of the rare occasions when Charles, 77, was able to express his views and not seek guidance from the government. It often has a strong religious framework, reflects current issues, and sometimes draws on the monarch’s personal experiences.
Just two weeks before this year’s speech, Charles made a deeply personal appearance on television, where he said “good news” from doctors meant he would be able to have fewer cancer treatments in the new year.
King was diagnosed with a yet-to-be-disclosed form of cancer in early 2024. Buckingham Palace said his treatment has now entered a “precautionary phase” and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery.
Charles recorded his speech last year at Fitzrovia Church, which was once part of the now-demolished Middlesex Hospital. In his speech, he paid tribute to caregivers across the country and gave special thanks to the doctors and nurses who supported him after he was diagnosed with cancer.
This year’s Christmas speech will be Charles’ fourth since he ascended the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022.
