In his annual Christmas Day broadcast, King Charles III delivered a powerful call for unity, directly praising the "spontaneous bravery" shown during recent terror attacks in Sydney and Manchester. The monarch urged the nation to hold fast to the enduring values of "courage and sacrifice" exemplified during the Second World War.
A Message Anchored in Contemporary Courage
The King's address, recorded on December 11 in Westminster Abbey’s Lady Chapel, made specific reference to two tragic events from the past year. He honoured those who defended others during the Manchester synagogue attack in October and the Bondi Beach shootings in Sydney, Australia, where 15 people were killed at a Jewish festival.
Footage within the broadcast showed Charles visiting the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, where he met survivors and those who blocked doors against a knife-wielding assailant. It also featured the arch at Bondi Beach, surrounded by floral tributes, and highlighted the heroism of Syrian-born immigrant Ahmed al Ahmed, who was shot after wrestling a firearm from one of the gunmen.
"These stories of the triumph of courage over adversity give me hope," the King stated, linking these modern acts of valour to the spirit of past generations.
Echoes of Wartime Values in a Divided Age
Reflecting on the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day, which he and Queen Camilla commemorated this year, Charles emphasised timeless lessons. "The courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and the way communities came together in the face of such great challenge, carry a timeless message for us all," he said.
He explicitly connected this historical resilience to current divisions, citing issues like protests over asylum seeker housing, political polarisation, and the cost-of-living crisis. "As we hear of division, both at home and abroad, they are the values of which we must never lose sight," he urged the nation and Commonwealth.
A Call for Reflection and Community in the Digital Age
Notably, the King addressed the pressures of modern life, suggesting the festive period could be a time for mental renewal. Commenting on how the world "spins ever faster", he referenced poet T.S. Eliot and the need to find "the still point of the turning world".
Aides revealed Charles hopes Christmas might allow for a "digital detox", enabling people to focus more on friendships, family, and faith. "In this way the King hopes our minds may find greater peace, our souls can renew, and our communities grow stronger," an aide explained.
The broadcast, which featured a strong religious theme of pilgrimage, also included appearances by other royals. Viewers saw Queen Camilla in a red phone box with children, and the Prince of Wales and Prince George helping at homeless charity The Passage. It concluded with the Songs for Ukraine Chorus performing Carol of the Bells, underscoring the King's continued support for Ukraine.
Written personally by the King without government advice, the message made no mention of his own health, instead focusing squarely on the collective experiences and challenges of the past twelve months.
