Faith and hope at the heart of very personal King's Speech from Charles III
Yesterday at 05:00 AM
King Charles has given his most personal Christmas address so far as he reflected on a year that had brought many challenges but also much hope.
In his Christmas Day broadcast, The King spoke of public and personal issues and praised those who help others.
The speech began with words of gratitude and admiration for the veterans of D-Day and for their comrades who never returned home. His Majesty said ”the Queen and I had the enormous privilege of meeting, once again, the remarkable veterans of that very special generation who gave of themselves so courageously, on behalf of us all.…their example of service and selflessness continues to inspire, across the generations.”
The King then said ”during previous commemorations, we were able to console ourselves with the thought that these tragic events seldom happen in the modern era. But, on this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict…..pose a daily threat to so many people’s lives and livelihoods.”
The speech, given in the Fitzrovia Chapel in London, also reflected deeply on the Christmas story and on The King’s Christian faith.
As he reflected on the impact of conflict on millions of lives around the world this year, Charles III said ”the example that Jesus gave us is timeless and universal. It is to enter the world of those who suffer, to make a difference to their lives and so bring hope where there is despair.”
The King also spoke of the riots in towns in England over the summer and the way that communities came together to stop the violence and rebuild following destruction.
Charles III said this involved a challenge to ”repair trust; by listening and through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all….listening is a recurrent theme of the nativity story. Mary, the mother of Jesus, listened to the angel who revealed to her a different future full of hope for all people. The message of the angels to the shepherds – that there should be peace on earth – in fact echoes through all faiths and philosophies.”
The King also reflected on his own year and alluded to the cancer diagnoses that both he and the Princess of Wales had received as 2024 began, saying ”I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed.”
The King ended by offering wishes for a ”most joyful and peaceful Christmas”.
The post Faith and hope at the heart of very personal King’s Speech from Charles III appeared first on Royal Central.
