LONDON (AP) — On Christmas Day, as the war in Ukraine casts a shadow over Europe, immigration divides society anxieties and some politicians fan anger and resentment, Britain’s King Charles III called on people to focus on compassion rather than conflict.
Delivering his annual holiday address from Westminster Abbey, Charles said on Thursday that the Christmas story of wise men and shepherds traveling through the night to find their Savior shows how we can find strength in “compassion and compassion for others”.
“To this day, in times of uncertainty, these ways of life are treasured by all great faiths and provide us with deep wells of hope, of resilience in the face of adversity,” said Charles. “Peace through forgiveness, simply by knowing our neighbors and respecting each other, creating new friendships.”
“In this, with the great diversity of our communities, we can find the strength to ensure the triumph of right over wrong,” he added.
In a speech that concluded with a Christmas carol sung by a Ukrainian choir, European leaders rallied in support of Ukraine amid signs that US President Donald Trump is losing patience with America’s traditional European allies. At home, British politics have become more bitter as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government struggles to crack down on illegal immigration and crackdown on public services.
Charles, the titular head of the Church of England, chose Westminster Abbey as the site of his Christmas Day broadcast to underline the theme of pilgrimage that ran through the speech. Known as the site of coronations and royal weddings, the abbey is also the focus of an annual pilgrimage honoring England’s early king, Edward the Confessor, who was canonized in 1161.
“Pilgrimage is an underused word today, but it has special significance for our modern world and Christmas in particular,” he said. “It’s about moving forward into the future, as well as a journey to remember the past and learn from its lessons.”
Charles and his family walked earlier in the day to St Mary Magdalene Church on the King’s private Sandringham estate, about 100 miles north of London.
Charles and Queen Camilla, along with Prince William and his wife, Kate, and their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, and extended family walked into the church and greeted the crowds after the service.
Events marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II earlier this year underscored the need to learn from the past, Charles said. Although there are fewer and fewer living veterans of that conflict, we must remember the courage and sacrifice of those who fought the war and the way communities came together “in the face of such a great challenge.”
“These are the values that have shaped our country and the Commonwealth,” he said. “We hear about divisions at home and abroad, those are the values we must never lose.”
The monarch’s annual holiday message is watched by millions of people across the UK and the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent nations, most of which have historic ties to the UK. The pre-recorded speech is broadcast at 3pm London time, when many families are enjoying their traditional Christmas lunch.
The speech is one of the rare occasions when Charles, 77, is able to express his views and not seek direction from the government.
This year’s address comes two weeks after Charles made a deeply personal television appearance in which he said he had “good news” from his doctors that he would be able to ease off cancer treatment in the New Year.
King was diagnosed with an as yet unknown form of cancer in early 2024. Buckingham Palace said her treatment has now moved to the “precautionary phase” and her condition will be monitored to ensure her continued recovery.
The speech was accompanied by a video of members of the Royal Family, from the King to his grandchildren, George and Louis and Charlotte, meeting with the public and carrying out their royal duties.
It included scenes from the King’s historic visit to the Vatican as he works to forge closer ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
The event marked the first time since King Henry VIII’s break with Rome that leaders of the two Christian churches had prayed together over issues that had divided them for centuries, now including the admission of female clergy into the Church of England.
King’s message was clear. Although it has been a few years, there is still hope to start again. Peace is possible.
