Fascinating behind-the-scenes footage of King Charles’ Christmas speech shows him getting hands-on
FASCINATING behind-the-scenes footage of the King’s Christmas Day speech was released — and showed him getting hands-on.
Charles, 76, studiously rehearses his lines and is briefed by crew before watching a playback.
The remarkable glimpse into the annual broadcast was revealed for the first time by Buckingham Palace.
The King had already broken with tradition by choosing to speak to the nation from a former hospital chapel in central London instead of a royal residence.
In the 48-second film posted online, the Grenadier Guards band prepares to strike up.
Charles sits at a desk practising his lines from a script. He is also filmed in deep discussion with the director and taking instructions ahead of the historic broadcast at the Fitzrovia Chapel.
He is also seen standing in front of the cameras to record the festive address, before watching it on a monitor.
Nearly seven million people watched his speech on the BBC, ITV and Sky News, with more on catch-up.
In it, the King, who is having treatment for cancer, praised the doctors and nurses who helped him this year as “selfless”.
Charles also spoke of his deep sense of pride at the way communities responded to the riots following the fatal Southport stabbings of three young girls.
He personally chose to speak a fortnight ago from the 19th-century former Middlesex Hospital chapel, now a community hub.
Timeline of King Charles' health battle
A look at King Charles cancer diagnosis and recovery.
January 17: Buckingham Palace announces the King has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate
January 26: The Sun exclusively photograph the King arriving at The London Clinic for his ‘corrective procedure’
January 29: Seen waving and smiling as he left hospital after an extra night
February 5: Palace reveal while in hospital for his prostate operation doctors discovered the the King has a form of cancer
February 10: King issues ‘heartfelt thanks’ in a written statement
February 21: King tells Rishi Sunak he had been “reduced to tears” by get-well cards
March 21: The Princess of Wales and the King have lunch at Windsor Castle
March 22: Kate announces via video statement that she is being treated for cancer
March 31: King attends Easter Sunday service and takes part in ‘walkabout’ with members of the public and aides say ‘it was a significant step’ as King had ‘responded to treatment very encouragingly’
April 4: The Sun exclusively reveals King has ordered aides to ‘supercharge’ his diary for the summer and is ‘raring to go’
April 10: King and Queen embark on break at Birkhall, in Scottish Highlands
April 26: Buckingham Palace announce King will return to public-facing front-line duties
April 30: King marks his public comeback by visiting a cancer hospital with the Queen
Future:
May 8 and 21: Buckingham Palace Garden Parties
May 21 – 25: Chelsea Flower Show
June 6: 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France and UK
June 15: Trooping the Colour birthday parade in London
June 17: Garter Day parade at Windsor Castle
June 18 – 22: Royal Ascot
Late June: State Visit by Emperor and Empress of Japan
July 3: Holyrood Week in Scotland
October: Two or three-week tour of Australia