King Charles to deliver second Christmas message as monarch
His address to the nation was recorded at Buckingham Palace
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 used as part of the backdrop for Charles' annual festive address to the nation and Commonwealth.
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.
From its branches hang natural and sustainable decorations including hand-turned wood, dried oranges, glass baubles, pine cones and paper.
Charles' Christmas message, due to be broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day, is again delivered standing up and 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.
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.
King Charles, Queen Camilla and other Royal Family members including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children are spending this Christmas at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
April/October: Disney & Warner Bros turn 100
2023 marks Disney's 100th anniversary. October 16 marks 100 years since Walt and his brother Roy introduced Disney to the world. There are numerous events across the world including concerts, exhibitions, shows and new products. Warner Bros. also turns 100 in 2023, the company was founded by Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack Warner and incorporated on April 4, 1923.
April: The London Marathon
The 2023 London Marathon will be back in its usual April slot having been moved to October for the last three years. This year it will be held on Sunday the 23rd April. More than one million people have now completed the London Marathon since the first event back in 1981.
May: King Charles' coronation
The Coronation of The King and the Queen Consort will take place on Saturday 6th May, 2023. The Coronation Ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey, and will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is the first coronation in the UK for almost 70 years. There will be an extra Bank Holiday on the Monday making it a three day weekend.
May: Eurovision
The Eurovision Grand Final will take place on the 13th May 2023. It will be hosted in Liverpool, despite being won by Ukraine in 2022. It was decided as there is still conflict with Russia in Ukraine, the competition would be held elsewhere, although there will be many Ukranian elements to the shows.
June: Glastonbury 2023
Glastonbury 2023 is taking place at Worthy Farm between 21-25 June, with Elton John confirmed to headline at the festival. It will be 26th anniversary of the sell-out festival.
July: 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
After the Euros England's women will be hoping to replicate that success at the World Cup. Held in Australia and New Zealand it will start on the 20th July and run through until the 20th August. The mascot is a penguin called Tazuni.
August: Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival which will be taking place between 4 - 28 August 2023 will celebrate its 76th anniversary! The Fringe is the world's largest arts festival, with almost 4,000 shows taking part every year.
October: The Cricket World Cup
The 2023 Cricket World Cup will be held in India in October and November. It's the 13th time the competition has been held and England will be hoping to retain the trophy after winning it in 2019 on home soil.
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