Eco-activist King Charles will use the Christmas Day broadcasts to deliver a powerful message about the environment to millions of viewers across the country

The King will use his Christmas broadcast tomorrow to deliver a strong message about the environment.

Charles has long been an advocate of green causes and will use his platform to bring more sustainable living to the millions of viewers tuning in at the right time.

Although the exact content of the speech is a closely guarded secret, the eco-friendly theme is evident in the way the message is filmed.

His Majesty recorded his speech at Buckingham Palace earlier this month in front of a live Christmas tree – in a pot with intact roots rather than a felled tree. And all the decorations are environmentally friendly, made from plants or recyclable materials.

Traditionally, the monarch’s Christmas message has been carefully apolitical to avoid embroiling the royal family in controversy. But King Charles has often spoken out about limiting humanity’s impact on the planet. At last month’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai, he told world leaders that “the earth is not ours” and warned that his grandchildren will have to live “with the consequences of what we have or have not done.”

At last month’s COP28 climate summit in Dubai (pictured), he told world leaders that ‘the earth is not ours’ and warned that his grandchildren will have to live ‘with the consequences of what we have or have not done’.

A royal aide said sustainability was considered a “key point” in the way the Christmas message – Charles’ first since his coronation – was staged. But they added that the content of his speech, which he reportedly wrote himself without input from advisers, would address “broader themes.”

Former Tory cabinet minister David Jones welcomed the nod to ecological themes.

He said: ‘The king was a champion of all things green, long before it was fashionable. This may mark a change in style from his mother, the late Queen, but I don’t think anyone would begrudge making such an environmental gesture as part of his Christmas message. In fact, I think a lot of people will welcome it.”

Activist group Friends Of The Earth certainly does that. The charity’s head of policy, Mike Childs, said: ‘The King has long been a champion of the environment, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he used his speech to raise awareness of the urgent need to live more sustainably .

“As the world faces both a nature and climate crisis, we need everyone – especially our politicians – to do more to help protect our planet.”

He praised the King’s choice of backdrop, saying: “If you have a living tree with roots in a pot, you can leave it outside and use it again next Christmas, where it will continue to absorb carbon from the atmosphere, which increases the impact on the environment.’

News of the subtle environmental messages comes after the Daily Mail revealed yesterday that the King would knight the Archbishop of Canterbury for his ‘personal service’ to the Crown. The move is likely to raise eyebrows given Justin Welby’s political interventions, including attacks on the Conservative Party, and a 2021 statement comparing climate change to the Nazi “genocide.” He quickly apologized for that comment.

The King also appears to be ‘recycling’ his suit – he is pictured in the same blue single-breasted design he wore to last year’s Christmas message (pictured)

The King’s message, produced by ITN, was recorded in the Palace’s Center Room, which opens onto the balcony and overlooks The Mall, where crowds gathered to celebrate the coronation in May (pictured)

The King’s recognition of environmental issues is evident in the decorations on his ‘living tree’, all of which are recyclable or biodegradable – including hand-turned wooden bells, dried sliced ​​oranges, blown glass baubles and pine cones.

It is the first time such a tree has been featured on the Royal broadcast, and after Christmas it will be given to charity for replanting.

It appears the King is also ‘recycling’ his suit, pictured in the same blue single-breasted design he wore to last year’s Christmas message. He has previously emphasized the importance of rewearing clothes, saying that “people throw away as much as they can easily be repaired.”

The King’s message, produced by ITN, was recorded in the Palace’s Center Room, which opens onto the balcony overlooking The Mall, where crowds gathered to celebrate the coronation in May.

His Majesty has chosen to appear in the promotional photos, suggesting he will deliver the speech on his feet for the second year in a row.

That decision avoids the potential minefield of having family photos displayed on a desk. The late queen, who was in favor of this scheme, sparked speculation that she had ‘rejected’ Prince Harry and Meghan when she withheld their photos in 2019.

Royal aides say the contents of tomorrow’s speech are being kept secret as viewers and listeners chose the 3pm broadcast as a surprise on Christmas Day.

The king’s bright cobalt suit is believed to be from Anderson & Sheppard, his favorite Mayfair tailor, and is paired with a cactus tie from luxury French brand Hermes. He was seen wearing the same tie while visiting Ealing, west London, on December 7, suggesting this may have been the date the Christmas message was filmed.

That decision avoids the potential minefield of having family photos displayed on a desk. The late queen, who was in favor of this scheme, sparked speculation that she had ‘rejected’ Prince Harry and Meghan when she withheld their photos in 2019.

A royal aide said sustainability was considered a ‘key point’ in the way the Christmas message – Charles’ first since his coronation (pictured) – was staged

A BBC documentary about the King’s first year on the throne, broadcast on Boxing Day and produced by The Mail’s Robert Hardman, shows behind-the-scenes footage from last year’s Christmas broadcast, which was seen by 10.6 million viewers in Britain. Britain was seen. .

The film will premiere on December 13, 2022 at Windsor Castle and will feature the King delivering the message: ‘Well, I really did it all.’ That speech was recorded at St George’s Chapel and included a moving tribute to his late mother, who is laid to rest there.

The King and Queen Camilla are now at Sandringham in Norfolk for a traditional royal Christmas, while other family members, including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, are expected to join them.