In his first Christmas message since taking the throne, the king Charles III this Sunday he praised the “solidarity”, in a context of price increase in the UK.
Dressed in a blue suit, the 74-year-old sovereign spoke from Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel, where his mother Elizabeth II, who reigned for more than seven decades, and father, Prince Philip, are buried.
“I have no words to thank you for the affection and sympathy you have shown to our whole family”, she said, noting how emotional Christmas is for “anyone who has lost loved ones.”
Carlos III, who will be crowned on May 6 in London, thanked the work of the military, emergency services and health personnel, just days after nurses went on strike unprecedented in the country to get better wages.
“I especially want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously” give ‘food’, ‘money’ or your ‘time'”in these difficult times, he added.
The talk was interspersed with videos of charities giving food to the homeless, volunteers helping out at a food bank, doctors and nurses at work.
In the images appeared the Queen consort Camilla and the Princes of Wales Kate and William, engaged in charity work, Princess Anne and the Earls of Wessex Edward and Sophie.
Instead they were absent. harry and meghan, who stepped down from their royal duties in early 2020 and recently starred in a Netflix documentary in which they went behind the scenes of the royal family’s scandalous departure; and the Duke of York, Andrés, involved in the Epstein case which has edges that border on pedophilia.
The monarch cited those who are engulfed in war, famine or natural disasters, as well as those who “here they look for means to pay their bills or feed and heat their families”, at a time when inflation is around 11% in the country.
“Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving your neighbor as yourself,” he said.
Like many other parts of the world, the UK is facing high inflation and declining purchasing power for ordinary citizens.
“Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras have come together once again to feed the hungrys, providing love and support throughout the year. Such sincere solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbor as ourselves,” Carlos III stressed.
The monarch also recalled the visit he made a few years ago to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, which, he said, was “a wish for a lifetime”.
“While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated beyond the bounds of faith and creed,” he added.
“Whatever your faith, or if you have no faith, it is in this life-giving light and with the true humility that resides in service to others where I believe hope can be found for the future”, he added, wishing a “Christmas of peace, happiness and eternal light”.
In the morning, the King and other royals attended the traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Sandrigham, Norfolk.
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.