25 December 2023 , 15:10
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The King has used his Christmas message to praise Britain’s "selfless army" of volunteers serving communities across the country.
In his second speech to the nation, recorded at Buckingham Palace for the first time of his reign, Charles described the thousands of community heroes as the "essential backbone of our society". The monarch implored the nation to learn from the community stalwarts he chose among the guests for his coronation in May this year, saying they embodied the “call to us all to serve one another".
In a speech heavily laden with religious significance, Charles referenced conflicts around the world such as the Israel-Hamas war and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, suggesting we should recognise one of the central tenets of Christianity: “Do to others as you would have them do to you".
As families around the country celebrated the festive season, Charles and Camilla led the way as they attended the traditional festive church service today on the Sandringham estate. Royal fans gathered as the Prince and Princess of Wales walked hand in hand with their children George, Charlotte and Louis from Sandringham house on their way to St Mary Magdalene Church.
For the first time, Camilla’s family including her children Tom Parker Bowles and his younger sister Laura Lopes were each invited with their children to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the royals. Disgraced Prince Andrew was also out in public and stopped to chat to locals, walking alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, their daughters Eugenie and Beatrice and their partners.
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Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Tindalls with their other daughter Lena, were also in attendance. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle elected to stay in California as their relationship with the family continues to be strained following the release of Harry’s explosive memoir earlier this year.
King Charles III during the recording of his Christmas message (Getty Images)Back at home, the King, who has spent much of his adult life defending the planet, also used his Christmas message to praise the many people who are working in the fight to protect our natural world. Charles said he took "great inspiration" from the many people who recognise "we must protect the Earth and our natural world". His Christmas broadcast was delivered standing up in Buckingham Palace's centre room which opens onto the famous balcony overlooking The Mall, with The Queen Victoria Memorial could be seen in the background.
The King told the nation and Commonwealth: "Over this past year my 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: at work and at home; within and across communities.
"My wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army of people - volunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and with such distinction - were able to join us in Westminster Abbey for the coronation earlier this year. They are an essential backbone of our society."
King Charles and Queen Camilla leaving St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning (PA)Footage was shown of seated coronation guests, the King processing through the abbey after his crowning, and finally appearing on the palace's balcony with the Queen as they acknowledged the crowds with a wave.
Footage was shown of Charles and Camilla visiting a food distribution hub in Oxfordshire to launch his Coronation Food Project. The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children were also featured in a clip, helping scouts from the 3rd Upton Scout Group in Slough renovate their hut and grounds, as part of The Big Help Out event, during the coronation celebration weekend.
As the films were shown, Charles said: "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."