December 25th 2024.
In his annual Christmas message, King Charles III took a moment to recognize and appreciate the selflessness of those who have cared for him and the Princess of Wales during a difficult year. Both members of the royal family were diagnosed with cancer, and the 76-year-old monarch expressed his gratitude towards the doctors and nurses who have provided support and comfort throughout their illnesses.
The King also acknowledged the impressive dedication of individuals who have made it their life's mission to help others. He shared a personal thank you to those who have helped him and his family navigate the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and he praised their strength and care.
The King's message was released in a prerecorded speech on Wednesday, following the traditional Christmas Day service at a church on the Sandringham estate. He and Queen Camilla were joined by their eldest son, Prince William, his wife Kate, and their three children. The King's daughter-in-law, who has been receiving treatment for cancer, shared a heartfelt hug with a fellow cancer patient after the service.
Notably absent from the church service was Prince Andrew, the King's brother. The 64-year-old royal has been facing scrutiny due to his connections with a Chinese businessman, who was recently barred from the UK for his ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Andrew's absence from the family event suggests a further retreat from the public eye, as the King faces pressure to distance his brother from the royal family to avoid further embarrassment.
Ed Owens, author of "After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?" explains that this scandal has caused a problem for the King as he tries to rebrand the monarchy and focus on the work of himself, Prince William, and Kate. Despite the positive headlines the King has been trying to generate, his brother's behavior continues to overshadow the royal family's efforts.
This year's Christmas speech was the third for King Charles III since he ascended the throne after Queen Elizabeth II's passing in 2022. However, it was the first since the King's own cancer diagnosis in February. His message was watched by millions in the UK and the Commonwealth, with many families even timing their Christmas lunch around it.
The King's treatment has forced him to step away from public appearances for two months, but he has slowly returned to his duties in recent months. He even embarked on a tour of Australia and the South Pacific in October, where he was in good spirits.
A few weeks after the King began his treatment, the Princess of Wales announced her own cancer diagnosis, which kept her out of the public eye for much of the year. In her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey, which was recorded this month and broadcasted on Tuesday evening, Kate reflected on the love and support she has received during her illness.
The King delivered his speech at the Fitzrovia Chapel in central London, a location with strong health connections and a place of solace and reflection for those with or without faith. It was a rare occasion for the monarch to record his message outside of a royal residence, but it was chosen as a way to honor his late wife, Princess Diana, who opened London's first dedicated ward for those with AIDS at the now-demolished Middlesex Hospital.
In his speech, the King also paid tribute to the World War II troops who lost their lives on the beaches of northern France, as well as the remaining veterans who attended the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. He expressed his deep sense of pride for the community's response to the riots that broke out in the summer, following a tragic stabbing at a dance class.
As the world continues to face conflicts and tragedies, the King urged everyone to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to come together with empathy and support for one another. He closed his speech by reminding us all of the importance of peace and unity during this holiday season.
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