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King Charlesâs Christmas message â text in full
Monarch reflects on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in first Christmas Day broadcast
I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father.
I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.
Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.
In the much-loved carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem we sing of how âin thy dark streets shineth the everlasting lightâ.
My motherâs belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart.
It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.
This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society.
We see it in the selfless dedication of our armed forces and emergency services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed so magnificently as we mourned the passing of our late Queen.
We see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers and indeed all those working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities.
And at this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others.
I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organisations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances.
Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year. Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self.
The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit.
Some years ago, I was able to fulfil a life-long wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.
There, I went down into the Chapel of the Manger and stood in silent reverence by the silver star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of our Lord Jesus Christâs birth.
It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, âthe light that has come into the worldâ was born.
While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.
So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future.
Let us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always.
With all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light.
- King Charles III
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King Charles Says the Christmas Story Reminds Us of the Importance of Protecting the Earth
The King delivered his second Christmas Broadcast from the Centre Room at Buckingham Palace, with the Palace balcony in the background.
King Charles has long advocated for the importance of protecting our planet. And today, he used his second Christmas speech as monarch to point out that the message of living in harmony with nature and protecting the Earth can also be found in the Christmas story.
âDuring my lifetime I have been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must protect the Earth and our natural world as the one home which we all share,â the King said during his speech. âI find great inspiration now from the way so many people recognize thisâas does the Christmas story, which tells us that angels brought the message of hope first to shepherds. These were people who lived simply amongst others of Godâs creatures. Those close to nature were privileged that night.â
Produced by ITV, the King's broadcast also featured footage of members of the royal family carrying out official engagements and making public appearances throughout the year. Included in the footage were Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, shown volunteering at a Scout hut with their parents in May and attending Kateâs Westminster Abbey carol service in December .
The Kingâs Coronation was mentioned in the broadcast, although only briefly, with the King saying, âMy wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army of peopleâvolunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and with such distinctionâwere able to join us in Westminster Abbey for the Coronation earlier this year. They are an essential backbone of our society. Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasized the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.â
Instead of focusing on his Coronation , Charles chose to emphasize the themes of faith and service. âBecause out of Godâs providence we are blessed with much, and it is incumbent on us to use this wisely,â he said. âHowever, service to others is but one way of honoring the whole of creation which, after all, is a manifestation of the divine. This is a belief shared by all religions. To care for this creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none. We care for the Earth for the sake of our childrenâs children.â
The final image of the broadcast was the King giving a final wave to the public from the Palace balcony after the Coronation.
Read the Kingâs 2023 Christmas Broadcast in full:
Many of the festivals of the great religions of the world are celebrated with a special meal. A chance for family and friends to come together across generations; the act of sharing food adding to conviviality and togetherness. For some, faith will be uppermost in their hearts. For others, it will be the joy of fellowship and the giving of presents.
It is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us and think also of those whose work of caring for others continues, even on this special day. This care and compassion we show to others is one of the themes of the Christmas story, especially when Mary and Joseph were offered shelter in their hour of need by strangers, as they waited for Jesus to be born.
Over this past year my heart has been warmed by countless examples of the imaginative ways in which people are caring for one anotherâgoing the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it is the right thing to do: at work and at home; within and across communities.
My wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army of peopleâvolunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and with such distinctionâwere able to join us in Westminster Abbey for the Coronation earlier this year. They are an essential backbone of our society. Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasized the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.
Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas storyâthe birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbor as ourselves. Throughout the year, my family have witnessed how people of all ages are making a difference to their communities. This is all the more important at a time of real hardship for many, when we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves.
Because out of Godâs providence we are blessed with much, and it is incumbent on us to use this wisely. However, service to others is but one way of honoring the whole of creation which, after all, is a manifestation of the divine. This is a belief shared by all religions. To care for this creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none. We care for the Earth for the sake of our childrenâs children.
During my lifetime I have been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must protect the Earth and our natural world as the one home which we all share. I find great inspiration now from the way so many people recognize thisâas does the Christmas Story, which tells us that angels brought the message of hope first to shepherds. These were people who lived simply amongst others of Godâs creatures. Those close to nature were privileged that night...
And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other. The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: âdo to others as you would have them do to you.â Such values are universal, drawing together our Abrahamic family of religions, and other belief systems, across the Commonwealth and wider world. They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbors, and to seek their good as we would our own.
So on this Christmas Day my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another; all who are caring 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 Christmas of âpeace on Earth and goodwill to allâ, today and always.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures , released in 2021.
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Watch: Charles delivers Kingâs Speech from Buckingham Palace
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Watch as King Charles III delivers the annual Kingâs Speech on Monday, 25 December.
His Majesty delivered the second Christmas message of his reign from a Buckingham Palace room decorated with a living Christmas tree.
The King, like Queen Elizabeth II , writes his Christmas broadcasts.
He followed his motherâs well-established template last year, with a personal reflection on the year focusing on current issues with a Christian framework.
The living tree seen in todayâs broadcast will be replanted in a nod to the Kingâs environmental interests.
It comes after he delivered a speech at the recent Cop28 UN Climate Change summit.
Charlesâs message was delivered in the palace room that leads on to the royal residenceâs iconic balcony, where members of the royal family have made historic appearances such as after Charlesâs coronation or Trooping the Colour celebrations.
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The King's Christmas speech explained as Charles marks his first year as Monarch
- Christmas Message
- Wednesday 3 January 2024 at 4:37pm
Royal Editor
ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship takes a deeper look at the meaning behind the words Charles used in his second Christmas speech as Monarch
This is the King âs second Christmas broadcast as Monarch but one which his inner circle considers the first that can truly be called his own.
While the King addressed the nation and the Commonwealth for Christmas 2022, it was a speech which was heavily influenced by the recent death of his mother, and reflected the transition from the reign of, Elizabeth II, to the new reign of Charles III.
So this year, the King stepped over the wires, and found his way through the building work which is currently going on in the east wing of Buckingham Palace and made his way to the ITN cameras set up in the Centre Room.
As its name suggests, the Centre Room sits in the middle of the famous facade which leads onto the balcony.
Which is where, last May, the King and Queen, took in the sight of the thousands of people who had crowded onto The Mall to be part of the UKâs first Coronation since 1953.
The weight of responsibility of his new role, symbolised by the weight of the crowns he wore that day, was reflected in his face.
Charles and Camilla had just completed the elaborate ceremony in Westminster Abbey which had been the setting of every Coronation since 1066.
So for this Christmas broadcast, there was no table behind the Monarch on which comments might be made about the choice of family photographs â or lack of them.
This year, the only identifiable items in the background were the Christmas tree (the first time a âliving treeâ had been used in a royal Christmas broadcast instead of a cut one) and the outline of the Queen Victoria Memorial which sits in front of Buckingham Palace.
With the focus therefore on his words, the King embarked on a speech to reflect his first full year as King.
This is, of course, a largely Christian-focused messaged centered around the Christmas story but the King spoke to those âof all faiths and noneâ given his long-held belief that he represents people from all communities in the United Kingdom and around the Commonwealth.
The Coronation might have been a highlight in the 2023 royal calendar, but the tensions in the Holy Land were the definite low point of the global events of this last year.
And although a Monarch rarely uses a Christmas address to remark on a particular conflict, King Charles did have the Israel-Gaza hostilities uppermost in his mind when he spoke of praying âto protect each otherâ in the âincreasingly tragic conflicts around the worldâ.
Given the King has spent many years, and even organised recent events at Buckingham Palace, working to heal divisions between faiths -he urged all sides in this conflict, but also in Ukraine right now, to follow the words of Jesus when Charles said: âdo to others as you would have them do to you.â
But it was also no surprise the Coronation featured prominently in the Kingâs Christmas speech.
Most people in this country have never witnessed the moment of crowning a Monarch. The last one was 70 years ago.
The âmeaning of coronationâ, the King said was âa call to all of us to serve one anotherâ and he highlighted a new service he has named after the Coronation to cut food waste.
At a time of what he called âreal hardship for manyâ, the King hopes his Coronation Food Project will cut the amount of food waste going to landfill and divert it to those who really need it.
He said the project, which aims to strengthen the current food donation arrangements and create new ones with farms and food factories, will âbuild on existing waysâ to help others.
For those of us who witnessed the King launch it, on his 75th birthday in a rain-soaked trading estate in Didcot, it was clear how much this meant to him personally.
Even though, as King, he canât âcampaignâ in the same way he did as Prince Charles, he still uses every speech, be that at a State Banquet or in a room full of business leaders, to mention his concern for the future of our planet.
He does it differently now, in a statesman-like manner rather than a campaigning prince, but he still uses his powers of convening, and his position as a respected figure on the world stage, to do what he can to protect the environment and nature.
After being invited to speak at the opening ceremony of the COP28 UN climate change summit in November , the King said in his Christmas broadcast that we must âcare for the earth for the sake of our childrenâs children.â
And he spoke of how, in the Christmas story, âangels brought the message of hope first to shepherdsâ as they lived close to nature âamongst others of Godâs creaturesâ.
Charles said he finds great inspiration from the way in which so many people now recognise âhow we must protect the earth and our natural world as the one home that we all share.â
He might have been talking about this issue for more than 50 years, but most politicians havenât.
The Kingâs great-grandfather, George V,  began the tradition of Christmas broadcasts in 1932.
Queen Elizabeth did 70 such messages, first on the radio and, from 1967, on television.
This is King Charlesâ second Christmas broadcast, and it wonât be the last time he uses it to promote service to others and sustainability for the planet we share â two issues about which he cares deeply.
 For the latest royal news, listen to ITV News' podcast The Royal Rota...
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King Charles IIIâs Christmas message reflects a coronation theme and calls for planetâs protection
Britainâs King Charles III poses for a photo, during the recording of his Christmas message at Buckingham Palace, in London, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2023. (Jonathan Brady/Pool Photo via AP)
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LONDON (AP) â King Charles III reflected his coronation theme of public service Monday in a Christmas message that he connected to the health of the planet and wars that are raging.
In a prerecorded video shot with him standing beside a Christmas tree in Buckingham Palace, the king spoke of the message of Jesusâ life in serving those less fortunate as he honored the âselfless armyâ that forms the âbackbone of our societyâ helping others.
âMy heart has been warmed by countless examples of the imaginative ways in which people are caring for one another, going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it is the right thing to do,â he said.
It was the kingâs second Christmas speech since he ascended the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II , died in September 2022, but the first since his coronation in May when he was officially crowned in a medieval ceremony rich in pageantry and pomp.
Charles, who has long campaigned for environmental causes and recently told foreign leaders at the COP28 Climate Meeting that achieving climate goals remain âdreadfully far off track,â said he was encouraged to see awareness growing of the need to protect the earth.
âTo care for this creation is the responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none,â he said. âWe care for the earth for the sake of our childrenâs children.â
In his own gesture towards sustainability, the evergreen next to him was bedecked in natural decorations made from wood, dried oranges, pinecones and paper. The tree, the first live one at the palace, was to be replanted after the holidays.
As Charles spoke, video showed highlights from his past year, including helping plant a tree during a trip to Kenya â his first state visit as monarch with Queen Camilla to a Commonwealth country.
It also featured footage from the coronation in which he declared, âI come not to be served but to serve.â Another clip showed his eldest son, Prince William, heir to the throne, along with his wife, Kate, the princess of Wales, and their three children carrying out that mission by helping to rebuild a Scout hut during a day of service that followed the coronation.
His estranged son, Prince Harry, who left the ranks of the senior royals when he moved to the U.S. in 2020 with this wife, Meghan, wasnât shown in the video. Harry, who showed up alone at the coronation and was seated in the third row, inflamed tensions with his best-selling memoir, âSpare,â published early in the year that accused his brother of beating him up.
At a time of âincreasingly tragic conflict around the world,â a reference to wars in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas, Charles invoked the words of Christ to âdo unto others as you would have them do to you.â
âThey remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbors and to seek their good as we would our own,â he said. âMy heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another, all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know.â
NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
The Kingâs first Christmas Day speech in full
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Sorry, this video isn't available any more.
King Charles gave his first Christmas Day speech as a monarch, and here is exactly what he said.
The King used his speech to sympathise with families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and praise individuals, charities and faith groups supporting those in need.
Charles spoke about the âgreat anxiety and hardshipâ experienced by many trying to âpay their bills and keep their families fed and warmâ during his televised message.
It also featured footage of a foodbank and other scenes of meals being distributed to the homeless.
The country is grappling with an economic crisis due in part to the war in Ukraine and the monarch also praised volunteers, paying tribute to the âwonderfully kind peopleâ who donated food or their time.
Charles delivered his historic Christmas broadcast standing in the quire of St Georgeâs Chapel, mirroring the late Queenâs 1999 festive address.
King Charles first speech in full
âI am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father.
âI am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.
âChristmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones.
âWe feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.
âIn the much-loved carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem we sing of how âin thy dark streets shineth the everlasting lightâ.
âMy motherâs belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart.
âIt is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.
âThis is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society.
âWe see it in the selfless dedication of our Armed Forces and Emergency Services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed so magnificently as we mourned the passing of our late Queen.
âWe see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers and indeed all those working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities.
âAnd at this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others.
âI particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organizations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances.
âOur churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year.
âSuch heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self.
âThe Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit.
âSome years ago, I was able to fulfil a life-long wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.
âThere, I went down into the Chapel of the Manger and stood in silent reverence by the Silver Star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of our Lord Jesus Christâs birth.
âIt meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, âThe light that has come into the worldâ was born.
âWhile Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.
âSo, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future.
âLet us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always.
âWith all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light.â
It followed his motherâs well-established template, a personal reflection on the year, touching on current issues and with a Christian framework.
The pre-recorded message began with Charles reflecting on how he was standing âso close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear fatherâ in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, and he thanked the public for the âlove and sympathyâ expressed in cards and messages of condolence.
He also described how the festive period was a âpoignant timeâ for bereaved families, adding âWe feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished traditionâ.
Charles said he shared the late Queenâs âfaith in peopleâ who can touch the lives of others with âgoodness and compassionâ, something he described as the âessence of our community and the very foundation of our societyâ.
These qualities were reflected in the âselfless dedicationâ of the Armed Forces, health and social care professionals, teachers and all those who work in public service.
Footage was shown of the Armed Forces and emergency services at work, from soldiers carrying sandbags to a speeding ambulance, followed by doctors and nurses on a ward and care workers in a home.
MORE : When was the last time we had a Kingâs Speech instead of a Queenâs speech on Christmas Day?
MORE : Prince Andrew âon his ownâ after being âbannedâ from Buckingham Palace
He recognised those other faiths when he said in his Christmas message: âOur churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year.
âSuch heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self.â
Among the collection of video clips showing the King at official events, Charles was seen wearing a Sikh rumal, or handkerchief, on his head as a mark of respect during a visit to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Luton earlier this month, and receiving condolences from the public during a walkabout outside Buckingham Palace in September.
The Christmas broadcast, written by the King and lasting eight minutes, ended with a message for the religious and those with no beliefs: âWhile Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.
âLet us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always.â
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King Charles Continues Royal Tradition with His Second Christmas Speech â Here's What He Said
The King encouraged service as he acknowledged that it is a "time of real hardship for many" during the holiday broadcast
Stephanie Petit is a Royals Editor, Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE.
Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool /Getty
King Charles is at the center of a royal holiday tradition for the second time.
Continuing the tradition of the British monarch giving a speech that is broadcast on Christmas Day, King Charles' pre-recorded address was shown at 3 p.m. local time on Monday. This year, the King delivered the message from Buckingham Palace.
King Charles, 75, centered his speech on service to others as he acknowledged that it is a difficult time for many families.
"Over this past year, my heart has been warmed by countless examples of the imaginative ways in which people are caring for one another â going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it is the right thing to do: at work and at home; within and across communities," he said. "My wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army of people â volunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and with such distinction â were able to join us in Westminster Abbey for the coronation earlier this year. They are an essential backbone of our society. Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasized the meaning of coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all. Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story â the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbor as ourselves."
The monarch continued, "Throughout the year, my family have witnessed how people of all ages are making a difference to their communities. This is all the more important at a time of real hardship for many when we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves."
King Charles also mentioned it is a time of "increasingly tragic conflict around the world."
"I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other," he said. "The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: 'Do to others as you would have them do to you.' Such values are universal, drawing together our Abrahamic family of 5 religions, and other belief systems, across the Commonwealth and wider world. They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbors, and to seek their good as we would our own."
King Charles concluded, "So on this Christmas Day my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another; all who are caring 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 Christmas of peace on Earth and good will to all, today and always."
For the first time this year , King Charles delivered his remarks beside a living tree, marking his ongoing environmental efforts. According to Buckingham Palace, the Christmas tree is decorated with "natural and sustainable decorations," with some highlights including hand-turned wood, pinecones, brown glass, dried oranges and paper. It will be replanted.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
The tradition of the monarch's Christmas message was started by King Charles' great-grandfather King George V in 1932. While the speech was first broadcast over radio, Queen Elizabeth appeared in the first televised broadcast in 1957. "She was a one-take wonder â she was extraordinary," said a former palace staffer.
For many Britains (including the royal family!), it is a staple of their holiday to gather around the TV to watch the speech.
However, the annual broadcast did not take place in 1936 (when King Edward VIII abdicated), 1938 (when King George VI did not give an address) and 1969 (when Queen Elizabeth opted for a written message instead after feeling that between Charles' investiture as the Prince of Wales and the documentary Royal Family , there had been enough television appearances for one year).
King Charles gave his first Christmas address last year just months after the death of his mother, and much of his speech centered around Queen Elizabeth's memory.
"I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St. George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father," the King said in the 2022 speech. "I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself, and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family."
He continued, "Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition."
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King Charles continued his speech, "In the much-loved carol 'O Little Town of Bethlehem,' we sing of how 'in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.' My mother's belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people â and it is one which I share with my whole heart. It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them. This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society."
He then praised the "selfless dedication" of those in the armed forces, emergency personnel, healthcare workers and public services professionals such as teachers.
"I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all â their time â to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organizations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances," he said.
On Monday, King Charles and Queen Camilla led the royal family in their annual tradition of going to church on Christmas Day. They attended the service at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Norfolk, near the royal residence of Sandringham .
The British royals traditionally gather at Sandringham each Christmas. On December 24, they have afternoon tea before exchanging inexpensive gag gifts . After their church outing on Christmas, they head back to Sandringham House for a traditional feast of turkey before watching the monarch's Christmas speech broadcast on TV.
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Election latest: Voters think Rishi Sunak beat Keir Starmer in first TV debate, snap poll finds
The latest reaction and fallout after Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer squared off in the first TV debate ahead of the general election on 4 July.
Wednesday 5 June 2024 00:00, UK
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Thank you for joining us for live coverage of the general election campaign today - and updates and analysis throughout the first TV debate between the two men vying for the keys to No 10.
Scroll down to read our full coverage, and we'll be back from 6am tomorrow with the latest.
If you want to relive tonight's prime ministerial debate, watch the highlights below...
We were just speaking with the shadow health secretary, Wes Streeting, when the veterans minister, Johnny Mercer, wandered over to join the conversation.
He asked if he could pose a question, but our chief political correspondent Jon Craig (somewhat jokingly) replied: "No, I ask the questions."
Mr Mercer ploughed on, questioning how Mr Streeting is claiming that the Tories have made ÂŁ71bn of unfunded pledges.
Mr Streeting replied that "it comes from adding up all the things you guys said you would do".
He listed scrapping national insurance and inheritance tax and the "teenage dad's army" national service plan.
Mr Mercer responded that the plan to scrap inheritance tax is "an ambition", to which Mr Streeting replied: "I've got an ambition to be an Olympic swimmer - doesn't mean it's going to happen."
The minister repeats that it is an ambition, and accuses Labour of "perpetrating a bit of a fraud on people" by claiming it is an immediate plan.
He also defended the national service proposal the debate audience laughed at, saying: "The idea of young people contributing, and volunteering, and being part of something greater than themselves... I think that's fantastic."
Watch their exchange below...
Amidst all the interrupting, criticising, and attack lines, the two prime ministerial hopefuls did manage to discuss some of the issues at stake as well.
YouGov viewers were asked how they think each man performed in the various sections of the debate.
Rishi Sunak came out on top in the sections about tax and immigration (just).
But Sir Keir Starmer was victorious in the discussions about the cost of living, the NHS, education, and climate change.
See the detailed results below...
Viewers polled by YouGov after the TV debate gave a rather mixed reaction.
1,657 people were asked to pick three words describing how they felt about the debate.
See the results for yourself...
By Jennifer Scott, political reporter
It's still buzzing and busy here in the spin room, with a few surprised faces from both camps over the leaders' performances.
But Labour's national co-ordinator Pat McFadden takes time to talk to me in his characteristic calms tones (when it comes to media performances anyway...).
Asked how he thought his boss performed, he said: "I thought tonight went well on a range of issues - from the economy to the cost of living, to housing, to the health service, [Sir Keir Starmer] showed that he understood the kind of problems people are facing."
Turning to Rishi Sunak, he said: "The problem for the prime minister is that endlessly chanting 'the plan is working'... the more he does it, the more out of touch he seems with ordinary people's lives."
While the Labour leader appeared to cut through on some issues, others fell flat with the audience - including Sir Keir's plans for the environment and Great British Energy. Surely that was a blow for the man in charge of the campaign?
I didn't really get an answer, just a justification of why it is a campaign focus...
"This is a really important nettle to grasp because if we don't grasp it, it will be more expensive for the country in the long run and more expensive for consumers," said Mr McFadden.
And what about that poll that I surprised him and Mr Ashworth with an hour ago, now he has had time to digest it. Didn't they think Sir Keir would smash it out the park tonight?
"No, we don't take anything for granted," he said.
"That is a pretty even split for polling for the debate. We work very hard, we make no assumptions about this election and we keep doing that from now until polling day."
But surely it makes him nervous after riding high on poll leads of 27 points this week?
"Well, I was ignoring that anyway because the only poll that matters is the one on 4 July," said Mr McFadden.
"Everybody should remember Labour is the challenger, the Conservatives are the incumbent.
"They have been in office for 14 years. And I do believe there is a mood for change out there in the country - but change will only come if people vote for it."
We have some more detail from the snap YouGov poll of the debate performance of the two prime ministerial candidates.
While Rishi Sunak just edged the win by 2%, digging into the detail reveals a more interesting picture.
Asked about the performance of the two men overall:
60% of viewers thought Sir Keir Starmer performed "fairly well" or "very well", whereas 55% of viewers gave Rishi Sunak the same ratings.
Sir Keir Starmer also won plaudits from 2019 Conservative voters, with 36% saying he performed "fairly well" or "very well".
Viewers were also asked about how each man came across.
Sir Keir Starmer was rated more "trustworthy" (49%), more "likeable" (50%) and more "in touch with ordinary voters" (66%).
But crucially, Rishi Sunak was rated more "prime ministerial" (43%).
It is frantic in the spin room as journalists climb over each other, stand on chairs and clamber round the campaign teams, trying to get their questions answered.
But I managed to get a bit of time with Health Secretary Victoria Atkins to ask her what she thought of Rishi Sunak's performance.
"I think it went really well," she said.
"And I say that because he had the chance to show the absolute commitment and the energy that he brings to governing our great country."
Meanwhile, she thought Sir Keir Starmer "looked like a deer in the headlights at points as he is not used to answering questions".
She refuted claims the PM came across as tetchy, saying: "We are talking about governing our country. I want someone who is determined I want someone who will speak up.
"I want somebody who will not take nonsense, whether it is from Keir Starmer or Vladimir Putin."
And when I put to her Mr Sunak's performance had lacked somewhat on how to help young people - with his national service plan getting one of the biggest laughs of the night - she went on a bit of a tangent about the NHS app.
But I was the first to reveal to her the YouGov poll showing Mr Sunak won the day - just - and while she denied she looked surprised (she did), she said: "That means Rishi won!
"I fully accept that we have got an enormous amount to do, as we should do in our democracy... so we will be taking that win and building on it in the weeks to come.
"I am so pleased to hear that because I was proud of the prime minister tonight.
"I think the policies he set out were really, really interesting and I hope the public saw some of the passion and the care that I see when I see him across the cabinet table."
Labour are "leaving Manchester stronger tonight", the shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth has told our deputy political editor Sam Coates .
"That is because Keir Starmer made clear his commitment to fixing the NHS with 40,000 more appointments each week," he says.
"He talked about his commitment to bring down bills as we transition to clean energy and to transform education."
Mr Ashworth says he believes the British public "will decide it is time for change" after watching Sir Keir at the debate in Salford.
Pressed on whether Sir Keir really got to the heart of the questions he was asked, Mr Ashworth says "let me be clear about one topic - this issue Rishi Sunak raised about tax is a lie.
"Rishi Sunak out of desperation had to collapse into lying in that debate.
"We do not have a plan to tax households in the way in which Rishi Sunak described, and we are not putting up income tax, or national insurance and VAT.
"The only party that has made uncosted commitments in this campaign is Rishi Sunak's party."
The outgoing levelling up secretary, Michael Gove, is giving Sky News his reaction to tonight's TV debate.
It is put to him that Rishi Sunak did not do anything to transform the race, but Mr Gove disagrees, saying "it exploded Keir Starmer's claim to be a credible candidate for prime minister".
He "was found wanting" on everything from migration to taxes, he says.
Mr Gove claims the Labour leader showed he was not across the detail on his party's economic policy, as well as on energy.
During the debate, Mr Gove says the Labour leader said Great British Energy would produce energy, when in fact it's mainly an investment vehicle.
"Ed Miliband [Labour's shadow energy secretary] will have been watching this with his head in his hands as his own leader can't even recall what their climate policy is," he says.
The veteran cabinet minister adds: "You can tell from the downcast faces of Labour shadow cabinet figures - they recognise that their leader flopped tonight, their leader was exposed as a dud."
Liz Kendall, Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary, tells our deputy political editor Sam Coates that Sir Keir "set out a positive message of change for the country" during the debate.
She says one of the main things the Labour leader did was "connect with people about their real worries".
Asked if the public learnt a great deal about the Labour leader, Ms Kendall says Sir Keir was "really clear" about his plans to tackle the cost of living, cut NHS waiting times and to help young people.
"It's right to say if you want to judge who is the best person to run the country for the next five years, look at their record over the last 14 years," she says
"Rishi Sunak doesn't want to stand on his record because it is a record of failure."
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Subscribe and đ to the BBC đ https://bit.ly/BBCYouTubeSubWatch the BBC first on iPlayer đ https://bbc.in/iPlayer-Home HM King Charles III delivers his fir...
The King's Christmas message has emphasised the importance of "universal" values shared between major religions, at a time of "increasingly tragic conflict around the world". Against a backdrop of ...
Here is the full text of the King's Christmas broadcast: "Many of the festivals of the great religions of the world are celebrated with a special meal. A chance for family and friends to come ...
The King's Christmas Broadcast 2022. Published 25 December 2022. His Majesty reflects on Queen Elizabeth II's faith in people and thanks those who have given their time to help others. Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in ...
King Charles III's delivered 2023's King's Speech with a Christmas message focused on paying tribute to "selfless" community volunteers and urging the public to protect the environment. It is ...
The King's Christmas Broadcast 2023. Published 25 December 2023. And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the World, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other. ... A speech by Her Majesty The Queen on her first visit to The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own), having been appointed as Colonel-in-Chief.
King Charles's Christmas message - text in full. I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to ...
Charles III delivered his first broadcasted Christmas message as king of the United Kingdom, thanking individuals and groups contributing their time to human...
The Christmas message was started by The King's great-grandfather, King George V. King George had reigned since 1910, but it was not until 1932 that he delivered his first Christmas message. The original idea for a Christmas speech by the Sovereign was mooted in 1932 by Sir John Reith, the visionary founding father of the BBC, to inaugurate the ...
Read the King's 2023 Christmas Broadcast in full: Many of the festivals of the great religions of the world are celebrated with a special meal. A chance for family and friends to come together ...
Watch as King Charles III delivers the annual King's Speech on Monday, 25 December. His Majesty delivered the second Christmas message of his reign from a Buckingham Palace room decorated with a ...
The King's Christmas message (or The Queen's Christmas message in a queen's reign, formally as His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech, and informally as the Royal Christmas message) is a broadcast made by the sovereign of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms to the Commonwealth of Nations each year at Christmas.The tradition began in 1932 with a radio broadcast by King George V via ...
The King's great-grandfather, George V, began the tradition of Christmas broadcasts in 1932. Queen Elizabeth did 70 such messages, first on the radio and, from 1967, on television.
Updated 2:19 PM PDT, December 25, 2023. LONDON (AP) â King Charles III reflected his coronation theme of public service Monday in a Christmas message that he connected to the health of the planet and wars that are raging. In a prerecorded video shot with him standing beside a Christmas tree in Buckingham Palace, the king spoke of the message ...
The King's speech continues a royal family tradition dating back 90 years and comes days after the first images of British banknotes of the new monarch were unveiled by the Bank of England.
King Charles first speech in full. 'I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear ...
Continuing the tradition of the British monarch giving a speech that is broadcast on Christmas Day, King Charles' pre-recorded address was shown at 3 p.m. local time on Monday.
HM King Charles III delivers his annual Christmas message to the nation and the Commonwealth. #TheRoyalFamily #TheKing #iPlayerSubscribe and đ to the BBC đ...
The King will thank the people of Britain and the Commonwealth for their support in his coronation year during his second Christmas address to the nation.The...
Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer are getting ready for their first head-to-head showdown of the general election campaign. The topic moves onto the party's annual visa cap to reduce immigration ...
King Charles III's second annual Christmas message to Britons and the Commonwealth stresses the importance of service to others at a time of hardship.This vi...