King Charles III delivers moving tribute to late Queen Elizabeth
Charles’ first Christmas message as monarch praised the humanity of people who ‘so readily respond to the plight of others’.
King Charles has delivered a moving speech in his first Christmas message to the Commonwealth, giving thanks for the humanity of people who “so readily respond to the plight of others”.
The King was standing in St George’s Chapel at Windsor, where the Queen was laid to rest in September, alongside Philip, her husband of 74 years.
In an empathetic tone, the King said how Christmas is “a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones”. He added: “We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.’’
The King also said he understood how the public felt about “this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm”.
Charles specifically mentioned his son and daughter-in-law, the Prince and Princess of Wales, who had recently visited Wales “shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit”.
The reference to his heir is in keeping with his long-held wish to slim down the monarchy and focus it upon the line of succession.
Charles didn’t mention his other son, Prince Harry and Harry’s wife Meghan, who have both attacked the royal family, and even accused Charles of lying.
But the King may have been thinking of them when he said: “Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and good houses have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year. Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as yourself.”
Charles also talked about the lyrics of the much-loved carol “O little town of Bethlehem” which speak of an 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,’’ he said, adding that it was 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 thanked those who are the essence and the very foundation of society: the selfless dedication of our armed forces and emergency services, health and social care professionals, teachers, those working in public service. He also paid tribute to “all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need”.
Charles told how he had visited Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity and stood in silent reverence in the chapel of the manger.
“It meant more to me than I can possibly express, to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, the light that has come into the world was born,’’ he said.
Charles was due to spend Christmas Day at Sandringham, continuing the tradition of the Queen in bringing her closest family members together there.
It was expected that disgraced, non-working royal Prince Andrew, 62, would attend the Christmas lunch but was not expected to walk with the royals to the Christmas morning service on the estate at St Mary Magdalene church.
Charles this week also made steps to ensure Andrew no longer has offices in Buckingham Palace, making it clear that Andrew is not a working royal.
Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, are both invited to Christmas at Sandringham. The Duchess of York had been previously on the outer from the royal family at the insistence of Prince Philip, but the Queen invited her to stay at Wood Cottage on the estate last Christmas so that she could be near her daughters, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and their young families.
Prince Edward, and his wife Sophie and their children are expected to join the royals at Sandringham. Also attending will the Princess Royal and her husband.
One of the Queen Consort’s children, Laura Lopes and her husband Harry, are also expected, along with their children.
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