King Charles III, the new monarch of the UK, delivered his first Christmas speech after the death of his late mother Queen Elizabeth II. The king made a heartwarming address to the nation, while he also spoke a little about grief. Charles highlighted the work done by the royal family, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, all of which were a part of his speech that has now made headlines everywhere. He said, “The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit.”
“Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones.”
📺 In The King's Christmas Broadcast, His Majesty reflects on Queen Elizabeth II's faith in people and thanks those who have given their time to help others. pic.twitter.com/8RFCq6Wk0G
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 25, 2022
The monarch remembers his late mother
King Charles III began his speech at Windsor Castle by remembering the late queen and his mother Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96 years. He said, “Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8 at age 96: “I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father. I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards, and messages which so many of you have sent my wife [Queen Consort Camilla] and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family,” via BBC.
🎄 Members of the Royal Family arrive at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk for a Christmas Day service earlier today. pic.twitter.com/CqogG6NTZQ
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 25, 2022
Talking about how Christmas is a bittersweet feeling when grief is involved, Charles added, “Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.”
The king acknowledges the unsung heroes
King Charles III continued his speech by saying, “In the much-loved carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem we sing of how ‘in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light’. My mother’s belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart. It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.”
He also gave a shoutout to the Armed Forces, Emergency Services, health and social care professionals, teachers, and public service workers in the Christmas speech. The monarch reportedly said, “This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society. We see it in the selfless dedication of our Armed Forces and Emergency Services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed so magnificently as we mourned the passing of our late Queen. We see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers, and indeed all those working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities.”