King Charles breaks tradition with emotional message for himself and Kate in Christmas speech
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The King has paid tribute to the medical staff who provided "strength, care and comfort" during cancer treatment for himself and the Princess of Wales. In his Christmas Day message, Charles praised the “selfless” medical teams, offering his "heartfelt thanks" to everyone who had supported him and his family "through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness".
In an unusual step, the monarch chose to record his third annual festive address from a church which used to provide a place of solace for doctors and nurses at a London hospital and now acts as a place of reflection for people of all faiths. After a tumultuous year for the royal family and the country, Charles spoke of his "deep sense of pride" at how communities across the UK responded to the riots following the fatal Southport stabbings of three young girls, by repairing "not just buildings, but relationships".
The King chose to open his address from the Fitzrovia Chapel by honouring the sacrifices made by Second World War servicemen and women, which Charles said continue to "inspire, across the generations". Read the speech in full here. Amid tension and war across the world, the King said we should have solidarity with those “whom the devastating effects of conflict - in the Middle East, in Central Europe, in Africa and elsewhere”.
The King said: "From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed.
