In his annual Christmas message to the nation and Commonwealth, King Charles III has made a heartfelt plea for people to step away from their screens and embrace the company of family and friends this festive season. The 77-year-old monarch delivered a powerful call for a 'digital detox', warning of the dangers of 'digital overload', particularly for the young.
A Message for a Fractured World
Filmed for the second time in his reign outside a royal residence, the King chose the stunning Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey as his backdrop. This sacred site, the spiritual home of the Royal Family for a millennium, houses the tombs of 15 monarchs. His choice was also a nod to sustainability, as it allowed the reuse of Christmas trees and decorations from the Princess of Wales's carol service held earlier in the month.
Charles spoke directly to the challenges of modern life, noting how 'our world seems to spin ever faster'. He suggested that consciously making time for neighbours and new friendships could offer what the poet T.S. Eliot called 'the still point of the turning world'. A Buckingham Palace spokesman elaborated that the King was mindful of new technology's impact on community cohesion and wellbeing.
Unity, Courage, and Pilgrimage
The broadcast was rich with symbolic gestures and themes of unity. In a pointed show of solidarity, the King selected the Songs for Ukraine Chorus to perform 'Carol of the Bells', a carol based on a work by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. This echoed his recent welcome of President Zelensky at Windsor Castle.
He also honoured the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, paying tribute to the courage of a fading generation and the timeless values of community they embodied. Furthermore, Charles reflected on his historic October visit to the Holy See, where he became the first head of the Church of England to pray publicly with a Pope, calling it an 'historic moment of spiritual unity'.
A Royal Family United on Screen Time
The King's concerns about technology and disconnection are shared across the Royal Family. The Princess of Wales recently co-wrote an essay describing smartphone overload as creating an 'epidemic of disconnection' that fragments family life. Her husband, Prince William, has revealed that their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, are not allowed smartphones.
The address was accompanied by footage of royal engagements from the past year, including the King and Queen at veterans' events, visits to Manchester after a synagogue attack, and the Princess of Wales at her carol service. Notably, the King did not directly reference his ongoing cancer treatment, focusing instead on broader messages of hope, compassion, and resilience.
Concluding his message, King Charles emphasised the strength found in diversity and friendship, stating that these virtues could 'make the future more hopeful'. His broadcast served as a poignant reminder to seek peace, connection, and quiet reflection amidst the noise of the modern age.
