King Charles thanks those who relieve suffering in Christmas message
King Charles III focused on the suffering, and those who attempt to relieve it, in his Christmas message to the Commonwealth.
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King Charles III focused on the suffering, and those who attempt to relieve it, in his Christmas message to the Commonwealth.
Speaking from the chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital, the monarch reflected on how the devastating affects of conflict in the Middle East, central Europe, Africa and elsewhere posed a daily threat to so many people’s lives and livelihoods.
“We also think of the humanitarian organisations working tirelessly to bring vital relief, after all, the gospel speaks so vividly of conflict and teaches the values by which we can overcome it.”
The King said Jesus gave a timeless and universal example, “it is to enter the world of those who suffer” and make a difference in their lives and so “bring hope where there is despair”.
“All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical,” he said.
“The degree to which we help one another, and draw support from each other, being people of faith or of none, is a measure of our civilisation as nations.”
King Charles said he was impressed by those who dedicated their lives to helping others, “especially the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and the goodness of their heart, care for others, often at some cost to themselves.”
His majesty was able to reflect personally on the subject, offering heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses who treated himself and family members throughout the year.
He also said his trip to the South Pacific for the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit in Samoa gave him constant reminders of “the strengths of institutions, as well as individuals, to draw from one another, and how diversity in culture, ethnicity and faith provide strength, not weakness”.
“Across the Commonwealth we are held together by a willingness to listen to each other, to learn from one another, and to find just how much have in common.”
It is, through listening, “we learn to respect our differences, to defeat prejudices, and to open up new possibilities”, he said.
TUMULTUOUS TIME
It's been a tumultuous time for the royal family in 2024 after dealing with two cancer scares –a diagnosis for both King Charles and the Princess of Wales.
The King will continue his treatment for his undisclosed type of cancer into 2025 after it was revealed earlier in the year he had an enlarged prostate and underwent hospital treatment.
Princess Catherine is yet to return to full-time duties after undergoing chemotherapy earlier in the year, however, she is slowly making more public appearances as she eases back into working life.
Christmas gatherings for the royal family are also without Prince Andrew after he continued to dominate headlines for all the wrong reasons.
He remains on the outer with his family and planned to spend the Christmas Day at the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park which he shares with his former wife and close friend, Sarah, the Duchess of York.
In recent weeks allegations of Prince Andrew’s long-running working relationship with Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo were splashed across the newspapers and led to global coverage that the royal family did not want.
In 2023 Mr Yang was banned by the UK after there serious concerns over his risk to national security.
A court heard he was linked to senior figures in the UK and used his relationships to gain political influence for the Chinese.
Earlier in the week Prince Andrew was seen walking alone at Windsor while King Charles and other members of the royal family arrived at Sandringham together.
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Originally published as King Charles thanks those who relieve suffering in Christmas message