This year, King Charles has chosen the Fitzrovia Chapel, a former hospital chapel in central London, to deliver his annual Christmas message, marking a departure from the usual practice of recording the broadcast at a royal estate.

The message, recorded earlier this month by Sky News, reflects the King’s desire to do things differently at the end of a challenging year. The chapel, once part of the now-demolished Middlesex Hospital, holds poignant links to health and healing—a fitting choice given the King’s ongoing treatment for cancer, which will continue into the new year.

The King’s decision comes in a year when the royal family has faced significant health challenges, including the announcement that the Princess of Wales is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

The Fitzrovia Chapel, no longer used for religious ceremonies, now serves as a community venue. Its selection as the setting for the King’s address underscores the monarch’s connection to community and resilience during a time of personal and national change.

The royal Christmas broadcast, a tradition since King George V’s first message in 1932, has historically been tied to royal residences. However, King Charles’s choice is not without precedent, as previous monarchs have also opted for alternative locations to reflect the tone of their messages.