King’s Christmas Speech 2024: Will It Last Between 5:01 and 5:59 Minutes?

The annual Christmas speech by the reigning monarch to the nation is a beloved holiday tradition that dates back over 90 years. This year, many are wondering if King Charles III’s address will fall within the typical 5-6 minute runtime.

History of the Royal Christmas Message

The first ever Royal Christmas message was delivered by King George V in 1932. It lasted only 2.5 minutes as the king read a script written by Rudyard Kipling over the radio. His son King George VI reluctantly continued the tradition until his death in 1952, finding it an annual “ordeal.” Queen Elizabeth II then carried on her father’s custom, making a televised broadcast each year of her reign except 1969, when the Queen felt the public had had more than their fair share of the Royal Family that year.

Length of Recent Speeches

In the decades since the Queen’s first televised message in 1957, the speeches have varied slightly in length, averaging between 5 and 6 minutes. Her formal addresses were revered for their calm dignity and clockwork precision timed to the second.

Queen Elizabeth II’s final Christmas speech in 2021 lasted around 10 minutes, where she took a more personal tone and reflected on her life with Prince Philip, who had passed away in April of that year. The previous year in 2020, her message also ran for around 10 minutes. King Charles’ first speech as monarch in 2022 was a similar length.

Will the King’s Christmas speech be shorter this year? 22bet21.com is offering odds of 1.727/1 or 80% that it might be between 5 and 6 minutes.

Speculation on 2024 Broadcast

Given the history, it is likely that King Charles III’s 2024 Christmas message will once again be around 10 minutes long. The logistics of broadcasting around the world favor a short time frame that fits neatly into scheduled programming.

Some speculate that the King may opt for a slightly longer message this year after the major events of the past 12 months. 2023 saw King Charles officially ascend to the throne and undergo his coronation ceremony following the death of his mother. A longer speech would allow him to expansively share his reflections on the year. Or he could do a shorter speech of around 8 minutes, as happened occasionally over the years.

However, the King is known for his conservationist views and dislike of excess, so he may decide to honor the Queen’s tradition of sticking to around 10 minutes. Many hope he replicates her firm but reassuring tone that so characterized her holiday addresses.

How to Watch

The pre-recorded broadcast will air on television and radio networks around the world on December 25 at 3 PM GMT. It will also be available on streaming platforms like the Royal Family’s YouTube channel shortly afterwards.

The King’s Christmas speech endures as a symbolic national event for the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. This year, viewers will eagerly tune in to see if the new monarch adheres to the decades-old format perfected by his mother. The brief yet meaningful annual message retains its power to unite and inspire citizens everywhere.