It was his first Christmas message since his accession to the throne.
In the midst of the UK's cost of living crisis, King Charles III praised "solidarity" in this message, released on Sunday.
The sovereign spoke from St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, where his mother Elizabeth II rests.
"I can't thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown to all of our family," Charles III said in the message, stressing how moving Christmas is for "all those who have lost loved ones."
“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
He praised the military and emergency services, "who are working tirelessly" for the security of the country, as well as the health personnel while the nurses recently observed an unprecedented strike.
“I especially want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously” give “food”, “money”, or their “precious” “time”, he added, in these times “of great concern and of trials”.
The king cited those facing war, hunger or natural disasters as well as those "here looking for ways to pay their bills or feed and heat their families" as inflation nears 11%.
"Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving your neighbor as yourself," he said.
“We can find hope for the future”
"Whatever your faith, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light and with the true humility that lies in service to others that I believe we can find hope for the future", he added, wishing a "Christmas of peace, happiness and eternal light".
The Christmas message is one of the major annual appointments for British sovereigns, with the speech before Parliament and the official birthday of the monarch.
In the morning, the Royal Family attended Christmas Mass at Sandringham.
Charles III is due to be crowned king on May 6 at Westminster Abbey, in a ceremony 'forward-looking' while rooted 'in the long tradition and pomp of the monarchy', according to Buckingham Palace .
