Charles chooses ex-hospital for King’s Speech in break with tradition – as he’ll reflect on year after cancer diagnosis
KING Charles has chosen a former hospital chapel for his King’s Speech in a break with tradition.
Charles will reflect on his “extraordinary” year in the speech, which he filmed almost two weeks ago at the Fitzrovia Chapel.
It marks the first time in 14 years that the speech has not been filmed on a royal estate.
The chapel used to serve London’s medical community and it is thought Charles’s decision was a nod to his cancer battle.
It is now a space for quiet reflection, discovery and celebration, connecting diverse communities from all faiths or none.
In 1928, His Majesty’s grandfather, King George VI, laid the foundation stone of the building.
The featured Christmas tree was donated to Croydon BME Forum and Macmillan Cancer Support’s ‘Can You C Me?’ project and will be placed in the Royal Trinity Hospice, Clapham, the oldest hospice in the United Kingdom.
It comes amid reports that Charles’ cancer treatment will continue into next year.
The King’s recovery is “moving in a positive direction” but is still ongoing, Sky News reports.
A source told the broadcaster: “His treatment has been moving in a positive direction.
“As a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year.”
The King, who is still considered a “newbie monarch” in comparison with his mother’s record-breaking tenure, has endured a difficult second year as sovereign.
He was diagnosed with cancer and had to deal with ongoing treatment, while his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, was also being treated for the condition.
But a source said brave Charles had coped with the past year with a “determination to be as public as he was able” to reassure the nation about how much he could still do.
He has also been buoyed by Queen Camilla’s support.
A source said: “Her natural warmth, resilience and sense of humour, as I’m sure any patient will tell you, is a wonderful thing to have.
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“Of course it’s been a stressful year for Her Majesty, too, but there was never a sense of despondency.
“Only a determination that they would get through this, as with so many other challenging issues in the past.”
Last week Kate and Wills skipped King Charles’s pre-Christmas lunch – after Andrew pulled out amid the alleged Chinese spy scandal.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were in Norfolk as planned.
The Sun exclusively revealed insiders had urged Andrew to “uninvite himself” from the family’s pre-festive bash.
He was due to attend the lunch at the palace but a source said: “He is under pressure to step away.”
He was due to attend the lunch at the palace but a source said: “He is under pressure to step away.”
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