In a heartfelt and personal Christmas address, King Charles III has called upon the nation and the Commonwealth to cherish the enduring values of "courage and sacrifice" that defined the Second World War generation, urging people not to lose sight of community spirit in a fractious modern world.
A Timeless Message for a Divided Age
The King's annual Christmas broadcast, which he wrote himself without government input, was filmed on December 11 in the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey. He directly addressed the growing divisions seen over the past year, from political polarisation and protests to the cost-of-living crisis, by highlighting the timeless example set by communities during the war.
"The end of the Second World War is now remembered by fewer and fewer of us, as the years pass," Charles noted. "But the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and the way communities came together in the face of such great challenge, carry a timeless message for us all." He emphasised that these are the values which shaped the UK and the Commonwealth, and "are the values of which we must never lose sight."
Praising Acts of 'Spontaneous Bravery'
Central to the King's message was his commendation of the "spontaneous bravery" displayed by ordinary people during recent terror attacks. The broadcast featured poignant footage from two specific tragedies.
First, it showed Charles visiting the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, where he met survivors and heroes of the October knife attack. He praised those who instinctively blocked the doors to prevent the assailant from entering.
The broadcast then cut to the iconic arch at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, overlaying scenes of floral tributes laid after a gun attack on a Jewish festival that killed 15 people. The King honoured individuals like Syrian-born immigrant Ahmed al Ahmed, who was shot after wrestling a firearm away from an attacker.
"These stories of the triumph of courage over adversity give me hope," the King said, citing examples from veterans to humanitarian workers and these brave citizens.
Reflection, Renewal, and a 'Digital Detox'
Reflecting on the frenetic pace of contemporary life, King Charles suggested the festive period could be a time for rejuvenation. He quoted T.S. Eliot's line about finding "the still point of the turning world" and hinted at the benefits of a temporary "digital detox" to focus on family, friends, and faith.
A royal aide elaborated, stating the King hoped Christmas might allow people to experiment with stepping back from technology, thereby finding greater peace, renewing their souls, and strengthening their communities.
The address, which had a strong religious theme of pilgrimage, also featured other members of the Royal Family. Viewers saw the Prince of Wales and Prince George meeting WWII veterans at a Buckingham Palace tea party for the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. Clips also showed the Queen with children in a red phone box and the Prince of Wales helping at homeless charity The Passage.
Concluding with a prayer for "peace and reconciliation," the broadcast ended with the Songs for Ukraine Chorus performing 'Carol of the Bells', based on a work by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych, reaffirming Charles's steadfast support for Ukraine.
