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It has been revealed that King Charles 2025 Christmas message has been recorded at Westminster Abbey this year – and contains a sweet nod to his beloved daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales

The King has revealed his eagerly anticipated 2025 Christmas message will be coming from a historic part of Westminster Abbey. And even though the exact contents of his speech are tightly underwraps until 3pm tomorrow, it seems he has given a subtle yet loving nod to his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales.

A snap of Charles has been released standing in the Abbey’s Lady Chapel, where he has delivered this year’s message. In the background of the broadcast are Christmas trees that have been repurposed from Kate’s Together at Christmas carol concert, staged at the abbey earlier in December before the King’s message was filmed.

READ MORE: Kate Middleton teases exciting mystery guest in exciting carol concert surpriseREAD MORE: King’s Speech 2025: What time is it on Christmas Day, how to watch and what to expect

It is the second time in his reign that Charles has chosen to record his Christmas speech away from Buckingham Palace, in an effort to present a community feel, royal sources said. Since 1066, almost every English and later British monarch has been crowned at Westminster Abbey, which continues to be a major church of pilgrimage, a key theme of the King’s message this year.

Pilgrims visit Westminster Abbey every year to remember the life and legacy of Edward the Confessor, whose Shrine lies at the heart of the Abbey. It is also the site where the Prince and Princess of Wales were married in 2011. In his address to the nation and the Commonwealth, broadcast at 3pm on Christmas Day, the King is expected to once again reflect on community cohesion as a key theme.

Since he acceded the throne in September 2022, the sovereign has structured his priorities around a set of guiding principles often referred to as the “four Cs”, specifically Climate, Community, Culture and Commonwealth. Following his diagnosis with cancer in February 2024, a “fifth C” was added to his list of working priorities, in line with his public duties and patronages.

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Lifelong environmentalist Charles is also expected to discuss the urgent need to protect the natural planet, which has been a cornerstone of his life of public service.

It is understood that King is set to reflect on the emotional commemorations across Britain, Europe and the Commonwealth earlier this year, marking 80 years since VE Day was declared on May 8, 1945 and VJ Day on August 15. As part of his continued efforts to build relationships with other religious faiths, the King is expected to reflect on his historic trip to the Vatican in October.

Charles made history by becoming the first monarch to pray with the Pope in nearly 500 years, in a symbolic moment of unity for Anglicans and Roman Catholics across the world.

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The monarch is, however, not expected to discuss his ongoing health battles, having earlier this month announced that his cancer treatment schedule is being reduced in the New Year – almost two years after his diagnosis. The King, 77, delivered a significant update about his cancer journey as part of the Channel 4 Stand Up to Cancer campaign on December 12, while stressing the importance of cancer screening programmes.

The King will welcome his closest family to his Sandringham home in Norfolk today, for the start of their festive celebrations. Together with the Queen, he will lead the royal family – including the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – at the St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Day, before retiring to host lunch.

The King’s disgraced brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, whom he still lives with in Windsor, will not be joining the royal family for Christmas this year. The monarch in November stripped his brother of his remaining titles and honours, and Fergie of her Duchess of York title, due to their relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew and Sarah are expected to spend a final Christmas at their shared Royal Lodge mansion on the Windsor estate before moving to separate homes next year. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, will also once again be absent from the royal family Christmas gathering. They are understood to be spending the holidays in California with their two children, Archie, six and Lilibet, four.

Before moving to the Big Brother house in 2017, Simone Reed first gained notoriety when she attempted to make a name for herself on The X Factor.

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A Big Brother who was jailed for a petrol bomb attack has been freed early from prison in time for Christmas. Simone Reed rose to fame on the iconic show as well as trying to find success on The X Factor.

She was jailed for 32 months earlier this year after a person was “set alight” at a Teeside bar. After threatening to firebomb the Peggy Junes pub in Redcar following a row, the 36-year-old, who was a contestant on the hit show in 2017, drove to a garage with Carl Wild.

Reed watched as Wild, 34, threw the Molotov cocktail at David Brotton, a reveler. Brotton was seen rolling around on the ground in an effort to extinguish the flames when the victim was hit in the head by the gasoline bomb. In court earlier this year, Reed entered a plea of guilty to assisting or encouraging the commission of an offence, which involved arson with disregard for the risk of life.

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In October, Reed, the former glamour model, received a two-year, four-month prison sentence. However, according to reports, she currently served only one-tenth of her sentence for allegedly shopping just before Christmas.

The mum-of-five was seen holding several bags as she bought presents in discount shop B&M. The Sun also reported that Simone posted on Facebook: “Merry Christmas – back home with my babies. 2026 is going to be our year.”

Reed responded, “I only did 11 weeks, it flew,” in a message that was posted after her post. On December 11, a man who claimed to be Simone’s brother, Paul Reed, posted a message on Facebook in which he expressed his excitement over seeing his sister.

He stated, “Not long ago, and my favorite sis will be home. I’ll be seeing you when you walk out the gates.”

On the basis of her guilty plea, Reed stated in court earlier this year, “I had no idea that Carl was going to take it as far as he did… Nobody would ever expect a physical injury from me, in any way. She received a 32-month prison sentence.

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Judge Laird delivered the sentences in October, stating that a fight broke out outside the bar just before 8 p.m. A large knife was produced by one participant. On surveillance, Carl Wild you were spotted savoring the violence. You were denied entry to the bar once more.

You and the bar owner got into a fist fight, and he struck you to the ground. You head-butted Mr. Jarvis, the club’s owner, inside Simone Reed. Her sister and her car took her to a nearby gas station with Simone Reed and Carl Wild. You picked a bottle of bleach, alcohol, and a jerry can. You used gasoline to fill the jerry can.

You paid for the items, and you loaded the gasoline can into your car, Simone Reed. You demanded to return to the bar to retrieve your phone Simone. You threatened to petrol-bomb the bar when that was rejected.

You arrived in a Range Rover, Judge Laird said. You can see on CCTV that Carl Wild lit an improvised alcohol bottle bomb that was lit. A bottle of bleach and a car jack were with you. You threw the victim’s [oppressed] back with the gasoline bomb. His head, face, and shoulders were engulfed in flames by it.

Carl Wild, you injected bleach into frightened customers who feared they would catch fire. You then proceeded to smash the bar. You attacked the DJ after he threatened to harm his mixing table. As you left, you smashed the window of the car where the bar’s pregnant partner was sitting.

Judge Laird also addressed the defendants’ decision to imprison Reed, saying, “You drove Carl Wild to the gas station where he obtained the items to make the gasoline bomb. You purchased the items, too. The judge acknowledged Reed’s regret for what had transpired, despite your threat to the landlord to petrol bomb the bar.

Reese Witherspoon, the mother of Ava and Ryan Phillippe, the father of three children, won an Academy Award. The former couple made their first movie together in Cruel Intentions, which was released in 1999.

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Reese Witherspoon and her daughter Ava Phillippe have a photo in which people have echoed similar sentiments. The 49-year-old Legally Blonde star and her ex-husband Ryan Phillippe share Ava and her brother Deacon.

Witherspoon and talent therapist Jim Toth, who she divorced in 2023, have a third child, Tennessee James. The Hollywood-based actress and producer, who won an Academy Award, is a well-known face for her talent both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, where she advocates for female-led stories, frequently adapted from novels, through her business Hello Sunshine.

Her daughter Ava was born in 1999, and Mariko Tamaki, who was recently cast in the title role of the film adaptation of Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, is a follow-up to her famous parents.

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The book deals with self-worth and acceptance in a toxic relationship as well as a coming-of-age story. Toronto, Canada, is where filming is being conducted.

Witherspoon recently shared a collection of photos from various holiday seasons, starting with a couple’s photo of her and Ava, 26, together.

The mother-daughter duo both sport black holiday outfits and have matching blonde hair that flexes loosely around their faces.

They both smile frequently and are glancing at the camera. Reese simply added a number of emojis to the images’ “Making Merry” caption.

People were interested in expressing their opinions on how similar the two people looked in the comments section.

Dax Shepard, an actor and comedian, once said, “Holy Doppelgänger!!!” How does your daughter appear to be more similar to you than she does, according to a user on Instagram?

A third person said, “Woah I had to double take because I didn’t know who you were.” Both of you are so lovely. A fourth person said, “Okay, I think she needs to play you in your biopic.”

Another simply quipped, “Copy.” Paste”. Another person remarked, “You ladies are twins” and said, “My goodness!”

“So beautiful! “, said another person. She shares your twin. Another Instagram user commented, “The strongest genes I’ve ever seen”!

Some people were not, however. Everyone said, “Everyone says she’s twins, but she looks exactly like Ryan,” in reference to Ryan Phillippe, Ava’s father, who played the role of Reese in Cruel Intentions in 1999.

Someone else concurred, “I see both of her parents in her.” She does indeed resemble Ryan, according to another comment.

Reese and Ryan met at Reese’s 21st birthday party in March 1997, and they soon worked on Cruel Intentions.

Ava was born three months later, and they were married in June 1999. In 2003, Son Deacon followed. The couple made their separation known in November 2006, and they later filed for divorce in 2007 and 2008.

Oti Mabuse, the actress who starred in Loose Women and former Strictly Come Dancing star, made the humorous admission about Motsi Mabuse in an interview about Christmas and her time on the BBC show.

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Former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse said she wants to “switch out” her sister Motsi Mabuse over the festive period. In a humorous chat with Judi Love, on the Loose Women podcast, the dancer was taken aback by the lengths her co-star goes to for loved ones at Christmas.

Judi revealed that she once prepared roasted breadfruit for a friend’s festive breakfast after purchasing “six bags of fish.”

Oti quipped, “I wish I could switch you out for Motsi,” as he was baffled by the gesture. I believe Motsi and I are both no longer able to function as an older sister.

She joked while glancing down the camera’s lens, “I think we’ve enjoyed this relationship, but I need a sister to do that for me.”

After Judi offered to step in, the former Dancing on Ice judge replied: “You are my sister, but I need one who can come over for Christmas and cook.”

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She continued, “She’s just going to come over and we’re going to do TikToks, that’s all we’re going to do,” when asked about her plans with Motsi, a judge on Strictly.

On the same podcast, titled Just Between Us, Oti also reflected on her time on Strictly Come Dancing, ahead of the Christmas special.

The 35-year-old quit the show in 2022 after seven years, having won the Glitterball trophy two years in a row – first with Kelvin Fletcher, then with Bill Bailey.

Oti responded, “Do you know what I miss about being a part of the program?” when asked if she misses it. I always go straight to the behind-the-scenes personnel whenever I return.

She continued, “I miss the props team and just those people who are with us constantly and don’t really get camera time.”

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They accompany us on tour, and it’s just that the family is real, drinking gin and tonics together. And of course, everyone else, but I constantly see everyone on camera and in the pros.

Oti praised Dave Arch and Ian Masterson, the show’s composers, saying, “All of those people are amazing, so that’s what I miss.” creating something from scratch and turning it into a popular Saturday show with everyone.

While Oti is no longer part of the BBC show, Motsi remains as one of the four judges alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke. The panel is expected to return next year, but this won’t be the case for presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The presenter duo made the announcement in October that their 14-year partnership would end the series that recently ended. Numerous names have been suggested as potential replacements since then, but their names have not yet been determined.

A Jethro Tull rock star has died following a string of health issues, the band’s singer has announced.

Mick Abrahams, who was a founding member of Jethro Tull and guitarist in Blodwyn Pig, has died. The news was announced on the Jethro Tull’s official website, as the tribute was credited as written by Ian Anderson, the band’s singer.

The announcement, dated as December 21, read: “It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the passing of Jethro Tull founding member Mick Abrahams. Mick had endured worsening ill health for the last 15 years leaving him finally unable to perform or interact socially to any degree. I spoke to Clive Bunker from the Choir of Southwark Cathedral to get confirmation that the reports earlier in the day were, in fact, correct. And, yes – Clive had received a phone call from Mick’s family to communicate the sad news.

” Mick was vitally important to the early Tull formation out of the ashes of The John Evan Band and McGregor’s Engine, the blues band he formed with Clive Bunker in the Luton/Dunstable area.

“As a strong vocalist and experienced, powerful and lyrical guitarist, Mick commanded the stage in his rendition of Cat Squirrel at the Marquee Club and every show we did together – even when we supported Cream on one occasion! As his party piece, Mick continued to add to and develop those musical ideas into a tour de force display of his instrumental talents for the rest of his performing days”.

Martin Barre, who joined the band following Mick’s departure, paid a touching tribute to his “friend and mentor”.

He said: “My friend and mentor Mick Abrahams has passed. He was so nice to me and that is something I will never forget.

” What a magnificent guitar player who gave us so much. Rest in peace. “

Ian Anderson also posted a tribute on the band’s website, fondly looking back at how Mick” commanded the stage”.

The message read:” It is with great sadness that we learned yesterday of the passing of Jethro Tull founding member Mick Abrahams. “

” Mick was vitally important to the early Tull formation out of the ashes of The John Evan Band and McGregor’s Engine, the blues band he formed with Clive Bunker in the Luton/Dunstable area.

“As a strong vocalist and experienced, powerful and lyrical guitarist, Mick commanded the stage in his rendition of Cat Squirrel at the Marquee Club and every show we did together – even when we supported Cream on one occasion”!