King’s Christmas message urges communities to pull together in divided world

The King’s Christmas message taps into the wartime spirit, calling on communities to come together in an increasingly divided world and for people to “know our neighbours”.

In his traditional speech, recorded at Westminster Abbey, he recalled the 80th anniversaries of this year’s VE Day and VJ Day and said we should “never lose sight” of the values ​​”where communities face such a great challenge”.

Speaking in the monastery’s medieval Lady Chapel, the King also praised the “spontaneous courage” of those who helped in emergencies such as the Bondi Beach attack in Australia.

A Ukrainian choir sang a song along with many of the band’s singers who were in the UK due to the war.

The speech included a call for silence and tranquility “as our world seems to spin faster and faster”, with King Charles quoting poet TS Eliot’s words about finding “the still point of the turning world”.

A royal aide said it was a reference to the social impact of new technologies on communities and that people might consider taking a “digital detox”.

In the second year the message was delivered somewhere far from the royal palace; Using a chapel in the monastery, the king spoke about life’s “pilgrimage” and the lessons of today.

In the beginning in front of the Christmas trees Hymn concert of the Princess of Wales He spoke about the importance of community cohesion and bridging divides at the Abbey.

Speaking under the chapel’s famous domed ceiling, the King said: “As I meet people of different faiths, I find it extremely encouraging to hear how much we have in common.”

“Thanks to the great diversity of our communities, we can find the strength to ensure right prevails over wrong.”

The publication, which showed photos of this year’s commemorations, praised the “courage and sacrifice” of the wartime generation and their unity in the face of adversity The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II is celebrated in Europe and the Far East.

“These are the values ​​that shape our country.

“When we hear of division both at home and abroad, these are values ​​we should never lose sight of,” the King said.

The heroic actions of those caught up in the violence were also praised.

“Individuals and communities demonstrated spontaneous courage by instinctively putting themselves in danger to defend others,” the King said.

His speech was accompanied by images from Bondi Beach in Australia. This month, bystanders intervened in the armed attack at a Jewish community event.

There were also photographs of the King. synagogue in ManchesterThere he met members of the congregation who were trying to stop an attacker.

As an example of building bridges between religious leaders, the broadcast cited this year’s state visit to the Vatican, where the King spoke of a “historic moment of spiritual unity.” He prayed with Pope Leo.

Reflecting on the Christmas story, the King described Jesus, Mary and Joseph as a “homeless” family and said their message was about “peace and reconciliation” and represented “a prayer for our times”.

This was a Christmas message that did not touch on any of the King’s personal problems.

There was no reference to his health after a recent incident he recorded. Video message stating “good news” He said that cancer treatment will be reduced next year.

His speech made no reference to his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his titles this year.

The accompanying film focused on working members of the royal family, including Prince William and Catherine.

There were photos of Prince George on his first visit to the Passage homelessness charity, which he went to with his father Prince William last week.

The king has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since the Russian invasion, and there was a symbolic sign of this in the broadcast, which included the Song of Bells, a Ukrainian song sung by the Ukrainian Song Choir.

Many members of the choir are in England due to the war in Ukraine.

Previously, the King led the Royal Family in celebrating the peak of the festive season by offering Christmas carols and prayers at St Mary Magdalene Church on Charles’ private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

Earlier, King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a Christmas Day church service at Sandringham. The Prince and Princess of Wales and other royals are with them.

Following the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Norfolk, the royal family greeted and interacted with the excited crowds gathered on the chilly Christmas morning.