King Charles III, while broadcasting his first Christmas message as a British monarch, remembered Queen Elizabeth II, his late mother. He also mentioned the extreme dedication of the country’s public service workers despite the government’s fight with many of them over pay. Prince Charles, 74, who is now the King after his mother’s death, paid tribute to them.
The Message from King Charles III
Charles began his remarks by recalling Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022 after being on the throne for seven decades, the highest for any British monarch.
He said that Christmas reminds us of our lost dear ones as we miss and remember them on such occasions.
King Charles III, scheduled to have his coronation ceremony in May, wore a blue suit for the televised message on Christmas. While the queen always preferred to sit at a desk and deliver her annual speech, her son and the King stood beside a Christmas tree during his speech at St. George Chapel church. This is the same church located on the grounds of Windsor Castle and the place of burial of Charles’s father, Prince Philip and the queen.
The King also mentioned the health professionals, social care professionals and teachers and said their commitment and skills reflect the essence of the community and the foundation of society.
The Context of the Speech
The King’s speech comes at a time when there have been strikes by teachers, nurses, train drivers and postal workers. The unions are demanding pay hikes for them to cope with inflation, which is being widely supported by opinion polls as well.
Many British families are finding it hard to manage their lifestyles as the Russia-Ukraine war, and the pandemic surge has led to soaring energy and food prices.
Charles expressed his sympathy for the sufferers.
What did the King say Further?
Emphasizing the birth and life of Jesus Christ, which were meant to break boundaries of belief, Charles gave a warm message to all the people across the British Commonwealth, including the people of the UK having other faiths.
He tried to claim the relevance of the monarchy by stating that it can play a significant role in uniting ethnic groups of diverse beliefs, which are increasing in the country rapidly these days.
Who Attended the Royal Event?
Along with the Christmas message, there was video footage to show working family members turning up at an official royal event. But Harry and Meghan didn’t attend the event. Prince Andrew, who was removed as a working royal due to his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious sex offender from the USA, didn’t join. But he joined the royal Christmas morning walk with Charles and other royals.
Charles and his wife Camilla, older son Prince William and his wife Kate, along with their three children, went to a service at St. Mary Magdalene Church.
Andrew’s younger brother Prince Edward joined the walk, and so did Edward’s wife, Sophie.
Speculations Over Royal Unity
There have been a lot of speculations in the British media about the royal family led by King Charles III trying to show a united front including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in it, despite the claims by Harry and Meghan in the Netflix documentary series.
