The King has praised the “selfless army” of volunteers serving communities across the country, describing them as the “essential backbone of our society”, in his Christmas broadcast. Charles said the presence of community stalwarts among his coronation guests emphasised the meaning of the ceremony – “a call to us all to serve one another” – and he concluded by thanking those who were “caring for our common home”.
With the Israel-Hamas war still raging, and other battles including the Russian invasion of Ukraine unresolved, the King suggested one of the central tenets of Christianity: treating all like you want to be treated, was more apt than ever.
He said: “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: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’.”
Charles, who in November launched his Coronation Food Project to support charities feeding the disadvantaged with unwanted produce, said: “…we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves.” There was also an environmental element to the address from the King, who has spent much of his adult life defending the planet and now found “great inspiration” from the many people who recognise “we must protect the Earth and our natural world”.
The Christmas broadcast, the second of Charles’s reign, was delivered standing up in Buckingham Palace’s centre room which opens onto the famous balcony overlooking The Mall. The Queen Victoria Memorial could be seen in the background.
