A festive fixture spanning the globe and dating back nearly 100 years, the Royal Christmas Message is a moment for a 10-minute timeout, from arguing over the cooking, pushing sprouts around your plate or festering on the couch.
You can watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 online from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for free.
King Charles’ fourth Christmas broadcast comes shortly after he shared positive news about his cancer journey, revealing that his treatment schedule can be reduced in 2026, something that’s only possible “thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’.”
Buckingham Palace announced the King’s cancer diagnosis in February 2024, but it yet to reveal which type of cancer he has. King Charles has used recent public appearances to emphasise the importance of cancer screening checks.
He has also repeatedly shown his gratitude to those who have played a role in his recovery, during a period in which doctors, nurses and care workers have been subjected to ceaseless attacks by successive Prime Ministers and governments.
“I have been profoundly moved by what I can only call the ‘community of care’ that surrounds every cancer patient – the specialists, the nurses, researchers and volunteers who work tirelessly to save and improve lives,” the King said on December 12.
Read on as we explain how to watch Royal Christmas Message from anywhere.
Can I watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 for free?
Yes. Viewers in the UK can watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 FREE of charge on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, ITV1, ITV3 and ITVX, and Sky News, Sky Showcase and the Sky News YouTube channel.
It’s also being shown on ABC and ABC iView in Australia, on CBC and CBC Gem in Canada, and on TVNZ1 and TVNZ Plus in New Zealand.
Outside the UK this festive season? Use NordVPN to unlock your free streams.
How to watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 from anywhere
If you’re keen to watch the King’s Christmas broadcast but you’re away from home and access to it is geo-blocked, you can always use a VPN to access it (assuming you’re not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
Use one of the best VPNs to watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 from anywhere:
How to watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 in the US
In the US, Royal Christmas Message 2025 will be shown on C-SPAN on Thursday, December 25.
If you’re in the US from the UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, however, a VPN will help you tune in for free. NordVPN is our recommended provider, and you can find out why with our in-depth NordVPN review.
How to watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 in Canada
In Canada, Royal Christmas Message 2025 will be shown on CBC at 12.30pm ET/PT on Thursday, December 25.
Ad-free access to CBC Gem‘s on-demand library costs CA$5.99/month, but if you don’t mind sitting through commercials you don’t need to pay a thing.
Outside Canada for Christmas? Use NordVPN to access your usual coverage.
How to watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 in the UK
In the UK, Royal Christmas Message 2025 will be free-to-air on several TV channels and streaming platforms. The King’s Christmas broadcast will go out at 3pm GMT on Thursday, December 25.
Coverage will be available on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, ITV1, ITV3 and ITVX, and Sky News, Sky Showcase and the Sky News YouTube channel.
Outside the UK? Use a VPN to gain access to all the content you’d normally stream at home.
How to watch Royal Christmas Message 2025 in Australia
In Australia, Royal Christmas Message 2025 will be available to watch for free on ABC iView at 3.30pm AEDT on Thursday, December 25.
Traveling outside Australia? Use a VPN to watch King Charles’ Christmas broadcast from abroad.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
