24 December 2023 , 10:32
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The King will deliver the second Christmas message of his reign from a Buckingham Palace room decorated with a living Christmas tree. It is the first time a living tree has been utilised as part of the backdrop for Charles' annual festive address to the nation and Commonwealth.
Ever since the first festive address of this kind was delivered in 1932, the annual tradition has become a key event. Families across the country gather together to remind themselves of what has come and what to look forward to in the next year.
Charles, like Queen Elizabeth, writes his Christmas broadcasts and last year he followed his mother's well-established template, a personal reflection on the year, touching on current issues and with a Christian framework. The King is a long-term environmental campaigner who delivered a speech at the recent Cop28 UN Climate Change summit, and the tree will be replanted after the broadcast.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Getty Images)Natural and sustainable decorations hang from its branches including hand-turned wood, dried oranges, glass baubles, pine cones and paper. Charles' Christmas message is scheduled to be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day and then will be delivered standing up.
This year's location is the Buckingham Palace room that leads on to the royal residence's iconic balcony. Members of the Royal Family have gathered in the Centre Room ahead of historic balcony appearances like after Charles' coronation or Trooping the Colour celebrations.
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In the background can be seen the Queen Victoria Memorial which was planned by King Edward VII as a tribute to his mother and her reign but, after his death in 1910, was opened a year later by his son King George V. Resting on a table to the King's right is a pot pourri bowl with gilt metal cover believed to have been acquired by George IV.
The circular tazza-shaped bowl of Japanese lacquered wood with gilt bronze mounts is held by the Royal Collection Trust.