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What time is King Charles’ Christmas speech and where can I watch it?

Monarch expected to reflect on death of his late mother in landmark broadcast, article bookmarked.

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King Charles III will give his first Christmas Day address to the nation after lunch on Sunday and is expected to honour his late mother Queen Elizabeth II , who died on 8 September after a record 70 years and 214 days on the British throne.

Her Majesty had delivered every televised festive speech since the inaugural broadcast of 1957, before which her message had been carried on radio since 1932.

The last time a king gave the address, it was her father, King George VI , who stood behind the microphone to reflect on the events of 1951.

The King’s Speech, which was pre-recorded by His Majesty at Sandringham on 13 December, will be shown at 3pm on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV One and Sky One and last for 10 minutes.

It will also be available on the BBC iPlayer and ITVX catch-up services shortly after broadcast.

• King Charles III reveals where he'll spend Christmas
• King Charles III’s official birthday date revealed for Trooping the Colour 2023
• One in five British families moving Christmas dinner to watch King’s speech

The Independent will cover King Charles’s words on the day and bring you the very latest updates and analysis.

Precisely what he will say, in what will be only his second televised address to the nation as monarch, is not known, although it is widely expected that he will pay tribute to his late mother, who used what proved to be her final Christmas speech last year to remember her beloved late husband Prince Philip , who died on 9 April 2021.

“I’m quite sure he’ll spend as much time talking about his mother as he does about everything else,” historian Jeremy Archer told OK! magazine .

“He’ll talk about how positive she was and how inclusive she was. It will be solemn and reflective, but it will show gratitude for her reign, her life and all the things she’s achieved.”

The celebrations marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, the outbreak of the war in Ukraine , the cost of living crisis and a turbulent year for Westminster that brought three prime ministers and four chancellors could also provide fruitful topics for his remarks.

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What time is the King’s Speech on Christmas Day? When to watch Charles III address on TV and what to expect

It will be the first time a monarch other than elizabeth ii has delivered the televised address, which was first broadcast in 1957, having previously been confined to radio.

King Charles III will give his first Christmas Day speech on Sunday, and is expected to pay tribute to his late mother.

It will be the first time another monarch has delivered the televised address, which was first broadcast in 1957, having previously been confined to radio.

Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September after a record 70 years and 214 days on the throne . She used her final speech last year to honour her husband, Prince Philip .

Here’s how to watch Charles’ speech, and what to expect.

What time is the King’s Speech?

The King’s Speech has already been recorded. Charles delivered it at Sandringham on 13 December.

It will be aired on Christmas Day at the usual time of 3pm.

The speech is always played on multiple major channels, with BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and Sky One all carrying it.

Channel 4 always airs an alternative Christmas message, which this year will be delivered by an AI robot. Past efforts have come from the likes of Edward Snowden, the survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster, and Danny Dyer.

The King’s Speech will be available to watch on the BBC iPlayer and ITVX catch-up services shortly after it airs.

What will King Charles say?

Little is known about the subject of Charles’ speech, other than that he is all-but certain to pay tribute to the late Queen.

“I’m quite sure he’ll spend as much time talking about his mother as he does about everything else,” historian Jeremy Archer told OK! magazine .

“He’ll talk about how positive she was and how inclusive she was. It will be solemn and reflective, but it will show gratitude for her reign, her life and all the things she’s achieved.”

The King may choose to mention the cost of living crisis , which has affected the lives of tens of millions of people across the UK this year.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine , which began back in February, is another likely topic.

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Charles has always been a staunch campaigner on climate change , so he may choose to draw attention to this issue in his address.

There is also the question of how he may handle family politics – namely the recent documentary series released by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Netflix , which is heavily critical of the Royal Family.

However, experts have predicted the King will disappoint anyone hoping for an acknowledgement of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s claims.

Longstanding royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told i he thought the “centrepiece” of the speech will be the Queen and “her amazing reign”.

He also predicts the King will follow his mother’s example of paying tribute to certain members of the family. Last year, the Queen spoke fondly of Charles and his wife, Camilla, and also of William and Kate, for their climate activism .

He expects the Prince of Wales will receive a special mention for his environmentalism during this year’s speech.

“I would suggest a tribute to William and the Earthshot prize is very likely,” he said.

Asked if Meghan and Harry will get a mention, the commentator said: “Oh, absolutely not.

“All the indications are the Palace would prefer to ride the current crisis – for that is what it must be called – out without any statement of any sort.”

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King Charles echoes Queen Elizabeth's words as he gives first Christmas message

King Charles III has delivered his first Christmas message, paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, and echoing his late mother's words about grief.

Key points:

• King Charles said Christmas was a "poignant time" for those who have suffered loss
• He said he was deeply touched by public messages of "love and sympathy"
• Video of the Royal Family, including Prince William and Princess Kate, appeared on screen while he spoke

Last Christmas, Queen Elizabeth spoke of her personal pain after losing her husband Prince Philip earlier that year.

In the speech on Sunday, King Charles said Christmas was "a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones".

Queen Elizabeth died on September 8 at the age of 96 and was remembered in a state funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19.

Thanking those who had sent "deeply touching" messages of condolence to him and the Queen Consort Camilla, he said the Royal Family had been shown "love and sympathy".

He also drew upon the late Queen's "faith in God" and "faith in people," saying he shared it "with my whole heart".

Charles delivered his pre-recorded message standing in St George's Chapel in Windsor, where the Queen and Prince Philip are both buried.

Video footage of the royal family, including Prince William and Princess Kate of Wales, appeared on screen while he spoke.

In a separate pre-recorded message broadcast to the nation as part of a Westminster Abbey carol service, the Princess of Wales said the royal family's first Christmas without the late monarch would "feel very different".

In his message, Charles also paid tribute to public sector and healthcare workers, charities, and religious institutions, praising the latter for their work during the UK's ongoing cost of living crisis.

He ended his speech by referring to a previous visit to Bethlehem, the town where Jesus was born, and "the power of light overcoming darkness".

"It is in this life-giving-light and with the true humility that lies in our service to others that I believe we can find hope for the future," Charles said.

"Let us therefore celebrate it together and cherish it always."

His message ended with a rendition of 'O Little Town of Bethlehem,' which Charles used to cite the late Queen's "belief in the power of that light," performed by the choir of St George's Chapel.

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Everything we know about the King’s Christmas Day speech this year

It will be the first delivered by a male monarch in almost 70 years

This year was a pretty monumental one in the UK . We saw the death of the late Queen in September, and a new King was crowned following her 70 years on the throne. Since then, we’ve got used to a new national anthem, and the first King Charles III coin was announced two weeks ago .

It will be the King’s coronation in March next year, but before we get to that, there’s another tradition to get ready for. King Charles III will make his first speech on Christmas Day this year, which will mark the second time Charles will address the country following the death of his mother. Here’s everything we know about the King’s 2022 Christmas speech.

When will King Charles III make his speech? 

The King will give his first speech as King at 3pm on Christmas Day. The speech itself was actually pre-recorded by His Majesty on December 13 at Sandringham, but will be shown on the telly on December 25.

Where can I watch it?

King Charles III’s speech will be shown at 3pm on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV One and Sky One. You can also catch up with it afterwards on BBC iPlayer and ITVX. 

How long is the speech?

Definitely set your alarms, because it’ll be over before you know it. The King’s speech lasts just ten minutes from start to finish. 

What will the King say in his speech?

We don’t know exactly what he’ll say, of course, but it’s likely he will speak about his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Last year, the Queen paid tribute to her late husband Prince Philip, who had died in October 2021. 

Historian Jeremy Archer recently told OK! magazine that the speech will be ‘solemn and reflective’. He said: ‘I’m quite sure he’ll spend as much time talking about his mother as he does about everything else.’

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What time is the King's speech on Christmas Day and what channel is it on?

The first festive message of his reign

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Wondering what time the King's speech is on during Christmas Day? We've shared all the need to know details on how to watch.

Tinsel, turkey and all the trimmings - some things are synonymous with Christmas Day, and the annual monarch's speech is one of them. For the last 70 years, Brits and those across the Commonwealth have enjoyed a festive address from her late Majesty. But Christmas 2022 brings with it big change following the death of Queen Elizabeth II .

Now in the new Carolean era , audiences are getting ready to watch King Charles I's Christmas Day message - the first of his reign. For many households this will be a highlight of the Christmas TV schedule , so here's the details on time, channel and where this year's message is filmed.

What time is the King's Speech on Christmas Day?

As is tradition, this year's King's Speech will be broadcast at 3pm GMT on Christmas Day. 2022 marks King Charles' first Christmas Day message and the first address from a King in over 70 years.

The monarch's message to the nation has been televised since 1957, with Queen Elizabeth II recording 69 during her reign. The speech is not live, having instead been pre-recorded by the monarch a few days prior.

A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily) A photo posted by on

Several media outlets have claimed that King Charles filmed his speech on December 13. Buckingham Palace have since confirmed that the King recorded his message in the Quire of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle . He's seen standing next to a Christmas tree which is decorated with sustainable ornaments made of paper, glass and pine cones. 

The chapel is also festively decorated in English foliage such as holly, berried ivy and red skimmia.

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The filming location of Christmas speeches has varied over the years. Some have been previously recorded at Buckingham Palace, seeing as it's the primary residence of the British monarch. Sandringham in Norfolk - where the royals often spend Christmas - has also paid host to previous Christmas speeches. Sandringham is also where King Charles' great-great grandfather George V delivered the first ever Christmas speech to the nation - via radio in 1932.

The Queen's last Christmas Day message - which aired in 2021 - was also filmed from Windsor Castle. Sat behind a desk in the White Drawing Room, the Queen paid tribute to the late Prince Philip in her address, reflecting on Christmas being a difficult time for those who are missing loved ones.

What channel will the King's Speech be on?

This year the King's Speech will be available to watch on four channels: BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and Sky One . Starting at 3pm, the address to the nation will last approximately 10 minutes.

Since 1997, the monarch's speech has been shown by all three broadcasters - who take it in turn to record the message. They work on a rota-based system which changes every two years. The edited footage is then shared with the rest of the world's media so they too can broadcast it in other territories on Christmas Day.

What will the King's speech be about?

Buckingham Palace never reveal the contents of the Queen or King's speech in advance of the broadcast. However, it's thought that this year's address will almost certainly pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II who passed away on September 8, 2022.

After his speech, the broadcast will follow with a Christmas carol and the National Anthem performed by the St George's Chapel choir.

Jeremy Archer , author of A Royal Christmas agrees, sharing his thoughts with OK! magazine on how Charles will honour his late mother. "He’ll talk about how positive she was and how inclusive she was," he says. "It will be solemn and reflective, but it will show gratitude for her reign, her life and all the things she’s achieved."

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams agrees that The Queen will be at the heart of Charles' Christmas Day message. He told The National News : "I think it will be a very professional job, especially since he is well aware he will be the subject of such fascination. It is the first one. 

"In a year that will obviously see the queen’s death and the magnificent funeral at the centre of the speech, there is no doubt he will pay a very moving tribute to her."

Ingrid Seward , editor of Majesty magazine is expecting a picth-perfect performance from the monarch in his first Christmas Day address. "Over many years of public speaking the king has acquired the delivery of a professional actor and I have no doubt it will be a masterly performance," she wrote in the latest issue of Majesty .

Who writes the King's speech?

King Charles I is expected to write his own speech shared at Christmas - much like his late mother. Queen Elizabeth II was known for writing her own festive message with support from her advisors.

The first royal message was 251 words long, though Queen Elizabeth II's speeches were lengthier - averaging 656 words. After the Christmas message has been broadcast, the full transcript of the speech is then available to read on the official Royal Family website .

The UK and Commonwealth have only witnessed one address from King Charles I since taking to the throne. Airing on September 9, 2022 - the day after Queen Elizabeth II died - Charles addressed the nation as the new monarch, sharing in their grief at the Queen's passing.

He concluded his speech: "And to my darling Mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late Papa, I want simply to say this: thank you.

"Thank you for your love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years. May ‘flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest’."

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Emily Stedman is the former Features Editor for GoodTo covering all things TV, entertainment, royal, lifestyle, health and wellbeing. Boasting an encyclopaedic knowledge on all things TV, celebrity and royals, career highlights include working at HELLO! Magazine and as a royal researcher to Diana biographer Andrew Morton on his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess . In her spare time, Emily can be found eating her way around London, swimming at her local Lido or curled up on the sofa binging the next best Netflix show.

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King’s Speech 2023: What time is it on Christmas day and how to watch

The royal tradition allows the sovereign head of state to reflect on the year and values of the nation in a ten minute pre-recorded speech

• 10:12, 24 Dec 2023

King Charles ' second Christmas Day speech as monarch is nearly upon us. Royal fans and critics alike are waiting to hear how he will reflect on the year which has passed.

Last year, it was King Charles' first King's Christmas Day speech in nearly seventy years, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II . He said: "Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition."

Ever since the first festive address of this kind was delivered in 1932, the annual tradition has become a key event for families across the country, who gather together to remind themselves of what has come and what to look forward to in the next year.

Here's what you can expect from the 2023 speech, plus how and where to watch it.

What time is the King's speech?

King Charles' festive broadcast is set to air on Monday, December 25.

The speech is due to be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day in keeping with tradition.

It will be shown on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV , and Sky News. On BBC One, the broadcast will be followed by a screening of Toy Story 4. Meanwhile, In For a Christmas Penny will follow the broadcast on ITV.

For those looking to watch online, the Christmas Address has also been streamed on the Royal Family YouTube Channel and Facebook page in the past.

What to expect

The contents of the King's Speech aren't known yet and won't be revealed until broadcast. However, the Christmas address typically reflects on the events of the year.

It's expected that King Charles III will speak about his coronation, alongside the issues affecting the UK and broader global events, before looking ahead to 2024.

How many people will watch the King's speech?

Millions of Brits are expected to watch the King's speech on Christmas Day. Last year, King Charles’s Christmas Day message was the most watched address by a monarch on record, viewing figures have shown.

Around 10.6 million tuned in for the eight-minute briefing. Back in 2020, the Queen's speech was crowned the most viewed programme of the day after 8.2 million people turned in. Meanwhile, the 2021 version brought in a staggering 9.1 million viewers - again securing the top spot.

What will be different this year?

This year's message from King Charles will reflect his green credential by including a living Christmas tree for the first time.

It was covered with “natural and sustainable decorations, including hand turned wood, dried oranges, brown glass, pine cones and paper” and it will be replanted.

There were no clues to content of Charles second Christmas address, recorded in the Palace’s Centre Room, part of the private quarters and near the balcony where he celebrated his Coronation.

Charles, 75, is said to have written the 10-minute speech without the help of his advisers.

MORE ON ITV BBC1 Christmas The Queen Royal Family

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King Charles III’s Christmas message reflects a coronation theme and calls for planet’s protection

Britain’s King Charles III poses for a photo, during the recording of his Christmas message at Buckingham Palace, in London, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2023. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP)

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LONDON (AP) — King Charles III reflected his coronation theme of public service Monday in a Christmas message that he connected to the health of the planet and wars that are raging.

In a prerecorded video shot with him standing beside a Christmas tree in Buckingham Palace, the king spoke of the message of Jesus’ life in serving those less fortunate as he honored the “selfless army” that forms the “backbone of our society” helping others.

“My heart has been warmed by countless examples of the imaginative ways in which people are caring for one another, going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it is the right thing to do,” he said.

It was the king’s second Christmas speech since he ascended the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II , died in September 2022, but the first since his coronation in May when he was officially crowned in a medieval ceremony rich in pageantry and pomp.

Charles, who has long campaigned for environmental causes and recently told foreign leaders at the COP28 Climate Meeting that achieving climate goals remain “dreadfully far off track,” said he was encouraged to see awareness growing of the need to protect the earth.

“To care for this creation is the responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none,” he said. “We care for the earth for the sake of our children’s children.”

In his own gesture towards sustainability, the evergreen next to him was bedecked in natural decorations made from wood, dried oranges, pinecones and paper. The tree, the first live one at the palace, was to be replanted after the holidays.

As Charles spoke, video showed highlights from his past year, including helping plant a tree during a trip to Kenya — his first state visit as monarch with Queen Camilla to a Commonwealth country.

It also featured footage from the coronation in which he declared, “I come not to be served but to serve.” Another clip showed his eldest son, Prince William, heir to the throne, along with his wife, Kate, the princess of Wales, and their three children carrying out that mission by helping to rebuild a Scout hut during a day of service that followed the coronation.

His estranged son, Prince Harry, who left the ranks of the senior royals when he moved to the U.S. in 2020 with this wife, Meghan, wasn’t shown in the video. Harry, who showed up alone at the coronation and was seated in the third row, inflamed tensions with his best-selling memoir, “Spare,” published early in the year that accused his brother of beating him up.

At a time of “increasingly tragic conflict around the world,” a reference to wars in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas, Charles invoked the words of Christ to “do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

“They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbors and to seek their good as we would our own,” he said. “My heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another, all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know.”

How to watch King Charles' Christmas speech online right now — start time and channels

It's time to open King Charles III's first Christmas Day speech

Today, King Charles III's first Christmas Day speech will air online and on TV networks, not only to the United Kingdom, but echoing out throughout the world. An annual tradition, the speech will touch upon the events of this past year, and the topics of community and faith, as is tradition.

King Charles III's Christmas Day speech will air at 3 p.m. GMT / 10 a.m. ET / 7 a.m. PT, and 2 a.m. AEDT on the 26th in Australia. Watch from anywhere with ExpressVPN

King Charles will likely use this speech as an opportunity to honour his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth III. He first addressed the nation as king on September 9th. 

This will mark the first time a male monarch delivered this annual televised Christmas Day address.

The address, which has already been recorded and edited down for time, was recorded on December 13th, at Sandringham, the private royal residence in Norfolk.

The speech, which will last 10 minutes, will also be available for replay via multiple means, which we'll get to below.

How to watch King Charles' Christmas Day speech from anywhere on Earth

Just because BBC, Sky and ITV aren't available everywhere doesn't mean you can't watch the King's Christmas speech online if you're away from home. Watching along with the rest of the internet can be easy these days. With the right VPN (virtual private network), you can stream the show from wherever you go.

Not sure which VPN is the right one for you? We've tested many different services and our pick for the  best VPN  overall is  ExpressVPN , which offers superb speeds and excellent customer service.

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Speed, security and simplicity make  ExpressVPN   our favorite VPN right now. We were impressed by its ability to access more than 3,000 services across 94 countries and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not 100% happy with it.

How to watch the King's Christmas Day speech in the UK

King Charles III's Christmas Day speech airs at 3 p.m. GMT on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV One and Sky One. Afterwards, it will be available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

How to watch King Charles' Christmas Day speech in the US

There are likely more than a few ways to watch King Charles' Christmas speech online in the U.S.. Expect it to stream from the Royal Family's official YouTube and Twitter pages, either live or after the fact.

C-Span will have the live stream as well, but if you cut the cord, that's only available on DirecTV Stream . ABC News Live should have the broadcast, and you can find it on fuboTV and Hulu with Live TV .

Of course, those visiting the U.S. who want to watch it live with our friends in the U.K. will need a VPN service such as ExpressVPN to log in back home to use BBC iPlayer .

Can you watch watch King Charles' Christmas Day speech in Canada?

It's unclear which channels will have the broadcast in Canada and Australia. But, as noted above, the Royal Family's official YouTube and Twitter pages are expected to offer the speech in one form or another. 

Those in Canada and Australia can also use a VPN service such as ExpressVPN to log in back home on the services they already pay for.

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

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What will king charles' first christmas message be.

A picture released on December 23, 2022 shows Britain's King Charles III during the recording his first annual Christmas Day message. Photo: VICTORIA JONES / AFP

King Charles is set to include a tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in his first Christmas message as monarch.

An image of Charles delivering his speech, which is due to be broadcast on Christmas Day at 15:00 GMT, shows the King in St George's Chapel, Windsor.

In her final Christmas message, the late Queen spoke of "passing the baton" to the next generation.

And her son's first Christmas Day message will remember her legacy.

This will be the first televised annual royal Christmas Day broadcast not to be presented by the late Queen, who appeared in the first TV message in 1957.

The photo of the King shows him recording this year's message in the chapel where a committal service was held during the Queen's funeral in September.

Both his mother and father, Prince Philip, are buried in the George VI Memorial Chapel within St George's Chapel.

The picture, released by Buckingham Palace, shows King Charles standing in front of a Christmas tree with plastic-free, recyclable decorations and arrangements of holly and ivy in the background.

This year sees the King and Camilla the Queen Consort return to the tradition of spending Christmas in Sandringham, Norfolk, after concerns about Covid and Queen Elizabeth's health kept the Royal Family in Windsor last year.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are among the senior royals expected to be with King Charles for Christmas.

In her 2021 Christmas message, the Queen gave a highly personal tribute to her "beloved" Prince Philip, who died in April of that year.

Her broadcast was the most watched programme on Christmas Day in 2021, drawing almost nine million viewers.

The King's Christmas Day broadcast continues a tradition going back 90 years.

The first royal Christmas broadcast was a live radio speech in 1932, delivered from Sandringham by George V, with the script written by the author Rudyard Kipling.

In 1957, Elizabeth II delivered the first televised message, saying that it was a technological landmark that "television has made it possible for many of you to see me in your homes on Christmas Day".

The message became part of many families' Christmas celebrations and the first televised broadcast in 1957 set a familiar pattern.

The national anthem was followed by the monarch speaking directly to the camera, with a speech that included Christmas greetings, a religious lesson, support for the Commonwealth, a round-up of the royal year and a moral message for the times.

In 1957 it meant a warning about values in public life, criticising a culture of "self-interest".

The timing of the Christmas broadcast was originally set for 15.00 GMT as best for reaching the most countries in different time zones around the world.

RNZ will be broadcasting the speech live on radio only at 6pm NZT Christmas Day.

- BBC w/RNZ

Copyright © 2022 , Radio New Zealand

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