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King Charles III
at his Christmas address at St. George's Chapel in Windsor: Invoking the Community Spirit
Photo: Victoria Jones / dpa
In his first Christmas speech as British King, Charles III.
condolences to all families in need.
In the speech televised on Sunday afternoon, the monarch said there was a "time of great anxiety and need".
This applies to everyone worldwide who is exposed to conflict, famine or natural disasters, as well as to those "who find ways to pay their bills and feed their families and keep them warm".
Millions of people in the UK are struggling with increased food prices and energy costs.
It was the first time a king gave the televised Christmas speech.
In 1957, Charles' mother Queen Elizabeth II was the first monarch to address the population on television at Christmas.
The Queen's speech was broadcast live at the time, but it has long since been recorded.
Charles' speech was recorded at St George's Chapel in Windsor on December 13th.
Buried beneath the church in the grounds of Windsor Castle is the Queen, who died on September 8 after 70 years on the throne.
Elizabeth, too, had given her Christmas speech at St. George's Chapel since 1999.
The tradition dates back to 1932 when George V gave a radio address.
In the speech, Charles found personal words for his "beloved" mother.
The holidays are a "moving time" for the bereaved, the king said.
"We sense her absence at every familiar season and remember her at every cherished tradition." He shared with the late Queen's belief in people who could touch the lives of others with kindness and compassion.
This is "the essence of our community and the foundation of our society," said the 74-year-old.
Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras combined
Charles thanked the military, health and social workers, teachers and all government workers for their "selfless service."
They would readily respond to the needs of others with much humanity.
"I would like to pay special tribute to all the wonderfully kind people who so generously donate food or donations or the most precious commodity of all, their time, to assist those most in need," said the King.
In his role as the nominal head of the Church of England, the monarch is also the "defender of the faith."
Charles reported on a trip to Bethlehem that he had been able to undertake a few years ago.
He stressed that in the recent crisis, churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras have united to help the hungry.
Charles also recounted a trip his son, the heir to the throne, William, and his wife, Kate, made to Wales, where the couple highlighted particular examples of the country's community spirit.
Charles' wife Camilla was also shown in the broadcast decorating a Christmas tree with children.
The king's younger son, Harry, was not mentioned.
He and his wife Meghan recently criticized the royal family in detail in a Netflix documentary series.
feb/dpa/Reuters
