LONDON (AP) — On Christmas Day when the war in Ukraine casts a shadow over Europe, immigration concerns divide societies, and some politicians favor anger and resentment, Britain’s King Charles III called on people to focus on kindness instead of conflict.
Delivering his annual holiday address from Westminster Abbey, Charles said Thursday that the Christmas story of wise men and shepherds traveling through the night to find their savior shows how we can find strength in the “companionship and kindness of others.”
“Until today, in times of uncertainty, these ways of living are cherished by all the great faiths and provide us with deep wells of hope, of resilience in the face of difficulties,” said Charles. “Peace through forgiveness, simply getting to know our neighbors and by showing respect to each other, we create new friendships.”
“In this, with the great diversity of our communities, we can find the strength to ensure that good triumphs over evil,” he added.
The speech, which concluded with a Christmas carol sung by a Ukrainian choir, comes as European leaders gather support for Ukraine amid signs that US President Donald Trump is losing patience with America’s traditional European allies. At home, British politics have become increasingly bitter as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government struggles to control unauthorized migration and strengthen floundering public services.
Charles, the titular head of the Church of England, chose Westminster Abbey as the site of his Christmas Day broadcast to emphasize the theme of the pilgrimage that ran through the speech. The abbey, known as the site of royal coronations and weddings, is also the focus of an annual pilgrimage honoring Edward the Confessor, an early king of England who was canonized as a saint in 1161.
“Pilgrimage is a word less used today, but it is of particular significance to our modern world, and especially at Christmas,” he said. “This is about a journey forward to the future, while also a journey back to remember the past and learn from its lessons.”
Charles and his family made their pilgrimage on foot earlier in the day to the Church of St Mary Magdalene on the king’s private Sandringham Estate, about 100 miles north of London.
Charles and Queen Camilla, along with Prince William and his wife, Kate, and their children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, and extended family made their way to the church and greeted the crowds after the service.
The events that took place earlier this year marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War highlighted the need to learn from the past, said Charles. While there are fewer and fewer veterans of that conflict alive, we must remember the courage and sacrifice of those who fought the war and the way communities came together “in the face of such a great challenge,” he said.
“These are the values that shaped our country and the Commonwealth,” he said. “As we hear about the division, both in their country and abroad, they are the values that we should never lose sight of.”
The monarch’s annual holiday message is watched by millions of people in the UK and across the Commonwealth, a voluntary association of 56 independent nations, many of which have historic links with Britain. The pre-recorded speech will be broadcast at 3 pm London time, when many families are enjoying their traditional Christmas dinner.
The speech is one of the rare occasions when Charles, 77, can express his own views and not seek guidance from the government.
This year’s address comes just two weeks after Charles made a deeply personal appearance on television where he said “good news” from his doctors meant he would be able to taper off his cancer treatment in the new year.
The king was diagnosed with an as yet undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024. Buckingham Palace says his treatment is now moving to a “precautionary phase” and his condition will be monitored to ensure he continues to recover.
The speech was accompanied by a video of members of the royal family, from the king to his grandchildren, George and Louis and Charlotte, meeting the public and performing their royal duties.
This included scenes from the king’s historic trip to the Vatican as he works to forge closer relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
The event was the first time since King Henry VIII severed ties with Rome that the leaders of the two Christian churches, divided for centuries over issues that now include the ordination of female priests in the Church of England, prayed together.
The king’s message was clear. Even if some years have passed, there is always hope to start again. Peace is possible.