The King's Christmas Message

The King's Christmas Message, 2024 was watched by almost 7 million people, making it the third most-watched programme on Christmas Day behind Gavin & Stacey (12.32 million) and Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (9.38 million). Breaking with tradition, the speech was filmed in the Fitzrovia Chapel, which formerly served as the chapel for the Middlesex Hospital, instead of a more usual location at one of the Royal Palaces. 

It's understood that King Charles wanted a venue which would strongly connect with the topic of healthcare following his diagnosis and treatment for cancer. It was also the first time in more than a decade that the Royal Message had been filmed anywhere other than a Royal Palace or Estate which, as our Dubbing Mixer Finn Curry says, was something that the technical teams wanted to assess before any recording could take place. 

It might look like a case of putting a reigning monarch in front of a camera and saying ‘Action, your Majesty!’ but there's a bit more to it than that. It takes a top team, working together like a well-oiled machine to deliver this much-loved, and important festive favourite.