The Royal Family in 2023: The key stories of the year
The King delivered his Christmas message after joining other members of the royal family at Sandringham to celebrate Christmas Day.
The ceremonial speech – the second of Charles' reign since the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022 – was delivered at 3pm on Monday in Buckingham Palace's Central Room, which opens onto the famous balcony overlooking the mall and decorated with a live Christmas tree that will be… Replant it.
The King called on people to protect each other, delivered a strong message about the environment, and praised volunteers serving communities across the country.
Earlier, Charles and Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at the morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
It comes after the King and Queen waved to well-wishers as they attended Christmas Mass in church on Sunday.
Royal Christmases traditionally feature greetings outside church, a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.
Sandringham House has been the private home of four generations of British royalty for more than 160 years, and is now the property of the King.
King Charles' five-point plan where he urges trillions of dollars to be spent to tackle the climate crisis
King Charles has set out an action plan to tackle the climate crisis based on five key proposals at Cop28, saying up to five trillion dollars will be needed every year. Jane Dalton Reports.
His proposals, presented in the form of questions, included bringing together different types of organizations to confront the crisis, engaging private finance and goodwill, in addition to public money.
Secondly, His Majesty the King suggested that these funds be carefully directed to projects that lead to sustainable changes and away from dangerous practices in all industries in the world.
Alexander Butler25 December 2023 at 18:30
Watch: King Charles urges public to protect environment in Christmas message
King Charles III urged the public to help protect the environment in his 2023 Christmas message.
His Majesty spoke from the Central Hall of Buckingham Palace, where he addressed the nation and the Commonwealth of Nations.
Charles, a passionate environmental campaigner who spoke at the recent UN Cop28 summit on climate change, said: “We care for the Earth for our children’s children.
“Throughout my lifetime, I have been very happy to see the growing awareness of how to protect the Earth and our natural world as the only habitat we all share.”
King Charles urges the public to protect the environment in a Christmas message
King Charles III urged the public to help protect the environment in his 2023 Christmas message. His Majesty spoke from the Central Hall of Buckingham Palace, where he addressed the nation and the Commonwealth. “We care for the Earth for our children’s children,” said Charles, a passionate environmental activist who spoke at the recent UN Cop28 summit on climate change. How we must protect the Earth and our natural world as the only home we all share.”
Alexander Butler25 December 2023 at 17:50
The Prince and Princess of Wales post a photo of the children on the occasion of Christmas
The Prince and Princess of Wales released a photo of their three children on Christmas Day.
Charlotte sits smiling between her two brothers, putting her arms around each of them.
They wear white shirts, Charlotte and George wear pants and Louis shorts.
The photo was posted on social media with the caption: “Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, from our family to yours! Toilet.”
Tara CobhamDecember 25, 2023 at 16:00
The skies of Bethlehem are “full of fear,” archbishop says in Christmas sermon
The Archbishop of Canterbury used his Christmas Day sermon to highlight anti-Semitism in the UK and the plight of children caught up in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Referring to the birthplace of Jesus Christ, which is now located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Pastor Justin Welby said: “The sky of Bethlehem is full of fear, not angels and glory.”
He compared the turbulent circumstances of Jesus' birth to the plight of modern-day children in the turbulent region.
Tara Cobham25 December 2023 at 15:45
Watch in full: Charles delivers the 2023 King's Speech from Buckingham Palace
King Charles III delivered the 2023 King's Speech with a Christmas message focused on honoring “selfless” community volunteers and urging the public to protect the environment.
His Majesty also referred to conflicts around the world, saying he prayed: “We can… do everything we can to protect each other.”
The live tree seen in today's broadcast will be replanted after the broadcast in a nod to the King's environmental interests.
Watch in full: Charles delivers the 2023 King's Speech from Buckingham Palace
King Charles III delivered the 2023 King's Speech with a Christmas message focused on honoring “selfless” community volunteers and urging the public to protect the environment. This is Charles's second King's Speech, and was delivered in the central room of Buckingham Palace, which leads onto the royal residence's iconic balcony. His Majesty also referred to conflicts around the world, saying he prayed “we can… do everything we can to protect each other.” The live tree seen in today's broadcast will be replanted after the broadcast in a nod to the King's environmental interests.
Tara Cobham25 December 2023 at 15:33
Read the King's Christmas Speech in full
Below is the full text of the King's Christmas broadcast:
Tara Cobham25 December 2023 at 15:17
King offers message of hope in speech amid 'increasing tragic conflict around the world'
The ceremonial speech – the second of Charles' reign since the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022 – was delivered while standing in Buckingham Palace's Central Room, which opens onto the famous balcony overlooking the Mall.
The king also praised the “dedicated army” of volunteers serving communities across the country, describing them as “the essential backbone of our society.” He said that the presence of prominent figures from society among the coronation guests underscored the meaning of the ceremony – “a call for all of us to serve one another.”
Tara Cobham25 December 2023 at 15:16
King delivers a powerful message about the environment in his Christmas broadcast
The King delivered a powerful message about the environment in his annual Christmas broadcast.
“Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story – the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his example how to love our neighbor as ourselves,” Charles said.
“Throughout the year, my family has witnessed how people of all ages are making a difference in their communities. This is especially important at a time when so many are facing real hardship, when we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than us.
“Because God has blessed us with so much, we must use it wisely.
“However, serving others is only one way to honor the entire creation which, ultimately, is a manifestation of the divine. This is a belief shared by all religions.
“Caring for this creation is a responsibility of people of all faiths and none. We care for the Earth for our children’s children.
“Throughout my lifetime, I have been very happy to see the growing awareness of how to protect the Earth and our natural world as the only home we all share.
“I find great inspiration now in the way so many people recognize this – as does the Christmas story, which tells us that angels first brought the message of hope to shepherds. These were people who simply lived among God’s other creatures. Those close to nature were fortunate in that night.
Tara Cobham25 December 2023 at 15:13
Charles offers a message of hope amid 'tragic conflict around the world' in Christmas broadcast
The king called on people to “protect each other” as he said the world was experiencing a period of increasingly tragic conflict in his annual Christmas broadcast.
“At a time of increasing tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we too can do all we can to protect each other,” Charles said. “Jesus’ words seem more relevant than ever: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’” Charles said.
“Such values are universal, bringing together the family of Abrahamic faiths and other belief systems across the Commonwealth and the wider world. They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours, and to seek their good as we seek our own.”
“So, on this Christmas Day, my heart and thanks go out to all who serve one another; all who care for our common home; and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know. In this way, we bring out the best in ourselves.
“I wish you a birthday of ‘peace on earth and good will to all’, today and always.”
Tara Cobham25 December 2023 at 15:09
Charles praises 'selfless' volunteers in his Christmas speech
The King paid tribute to the “dedicated army” of volunteers serving communities across the country, describing them as “the essential backbone of our society”, in his Christmas broadcast.
“Many of the world's major religious holidays are celebrated with a special meal,” Charles said. An opportunity for family and friends to come together across generations; Sharing food adds to familiarity and togetherness.
“For some, faith will be highest in their hearts. For others, it will be the joy of fellowship and gift-giving. It is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us and we also think of those whose work of caring for others continues, even on this special day.
“This care and compassion we show for others is one of the themes of the Christmas story, especially when Mary and Joseph were given shelter in their hour of need by strangers, while they awaited the birth of Jesus.
“Over the past year, my heart has been warmed by countless examples of innovative ways people care for each other — going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it's the right thing to do: at work and at work. At home; within communities. And cross it.
“My wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of this dedicated army of people – volunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and with such distinction – were able to join us at Westminster Abbey for the coronation earlier this year.
“They are the essential backbone of our community. Their presence meant so much to us, and underscored the meaning of the coronation itself: above all, a call for us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.”
Tara Cobham25 December 2023 at 15:08
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