Monarch nods to his late mother the Queen by recording Christmas message in St George’s Chapel

With bold colours and twinkling lights, the setting for King Charles’s first Christmas Speech is a moving tribute to his late mother.

His Majesty recorded the message at the spot in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where the world was afforded a last glimpse of the Queen’s coffin as it gently descended through the floor in the poignant final moment of her committal service.

He is expected to speak movingly about Queen Elizabeth in the message, broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day.

A photo taken when the pre-recorded speech was filmed shows the King striking a jolly tone in a bold blue suit, jazzy tie and patterned handkerchief. It will be regarded as a nod to his mother, who took the view the best way to be believed was to be seen and dressed colourfully.

 Bold colours and twinkling lights set the scene for King Charles’s first Christmas Speech

The Queen delivered her Christmas addresses from behind her desk at Buckingham Palace and was usually seated, but Charles is standing for his speech, and there is much anticipation about what the 74-year-old monarch will say.

While he is expected to pay tribute to the Queen’s long reign, he has also brought a modern touch, with a large Christmas tree in the background decorated with ornaments made from sustainable materials as well as natural products such as pine cones.

A royal aide said the decision to film the speech in St George’s Chapel was an example of how he intended to carry on his late mother’s traditions while adding a ‘different’ touch of his own.

His Majesty recorded the message at the spot in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where the world was afforded a last glimpse of the Queen’s coffin

It was recorded last week — two days before the explosive Harry and Meghan series on Netflix concluded with a salvo of attacks on the Royal Family. The Palace has not released any advance details of the speech, and it is not known what references, if any, Charles will make to his younger son.

The broadcast was produced by BBC Studios Events, instead of ITV, whose turn it was to record the King’s first festive address under a rotating producer system between the BBC, ITV and Sky News. A Palace spokesman said the decision was taken as the BBC had ‘experience of shooting in St George’s Chapel this year’.

The King and Queen Consort, Camilla, are now at Sandringham in Norfolk for the traditional royal Christmas. It will be one of the biggest Christmases there for several years, with a ‘full house’ of royals — minus, of course, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. All will accompany the King and Queen Consort to the morning service at Sandringham Church on Christmas Day in a show of unity following a difficult year.

The Queen delivered her Christmas addresses from behind her desk at Buckingham Palace and was usually seated, but Charles is standing for his speech

The Cambridges are expected to bring all three of their children to church for the first time, Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and scene-stealing little Prince Louis, four. Disgraced Prince Andrew is expected to be joined not just by his daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, but by his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, in what will be seen as an olive branch from the King to his brother, whom he has angered by refusing to consider allowing him to return to official duties.

Cash sent in condolence cards following the Queen’s death will help keep power on in poorer households over Christmas after Buckingham Palace passed it onto the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, which provides emergency help to people living without heat, light and power because they cannot afford to top up their prepayment gas or electricity meters.

Charles also gave a personal donation via The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund.