King Charles has used his Christmas Day address to pay tribute to hospital staff who provided ‘strength, care and comfort’ during his cancer treatment.
He also talked about his ‘deep sense of pride’ at how communities responded following the Southport stabbings by repairing ‘not just buildings, but relationships’.
Charles also noted how the sacrifices made by World War II veterans continue to ‘inspire, across the generations’.
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.
‘I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.’
Charles was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and has used his annual Christmas message to open up about it.
This year’s address marks a difference because it was delivered from a former hospital chapel – the first time the Christmas speech has been recorded somewhere that is not a royal palace or estate.
Fitzrovia Chapel, in Pearson Square, in London’s West End, was previously part of Middlesex Hospital but is currently being used for exhibitions and community events for people of any faith or none at all.
Charles also arrived at the Sandringham Christmas church service this morning with his family.
He said during his Christmas speech: ‘I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviours, but to repair.
‘To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and, through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all.’
Charles was briefed daily about the situation at the time and was engaging privately in discussions following the outbreak of violence.
‘Earlier this year as we commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Queen and I had the enormous privilege of meeting once again the remarkable veterans of that special generation who gave themselves so courageously on behalf of us all.
‘Listening to these once young servicemen and women, touched us deeply, as they spoke of their comrades drawn from across the Commonwealth, who never returned and who now rest peacefully where they made the ultimate sacrifice.
‘Their example of service and selflessness continues to inspire across the generations.
‘During previous commemorations, we were able to console ourselves with the thoughts that these tragic events seldom happened in the modern era.
‘But on this Christmas Day, we can not help but think of those for whom the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, central Europe, in Africa, and elsewhere, pose a daily threat to so many people’s lives and livelihoods.
‘We also think of the humanitarian organisations working tirelessly to bring vital relief.
‘After all the Gospel speaks so vividly of conflict and teaches the values with which we can overcome it.
‘The example Jesus gave us is timeless and universal, it is to enter the world of those who suffer to make a difference to their lives and so bring hope where there is despair.
‘As the famous Christmas carol, Once In Royal David City reminds us, our Saviour Holy came down to Earth from Heaven, lived among the poor, the meek and lowly and transformed the lives of those he met through God’s redeeming love. That is the heart of the Nativity story and we can hear its beat in the belief of all the great faiths in the love and mercy of God in times of joy and suffering calling us to bring light where there is darkness.
‘All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental, or physical. The degree to which we help one another and draw support from each other. Be we people of faith or of none, is a measure of our civilisation as nations.
‘This is what continually impresses me as my family and I meet with and listen to those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
‘I am speaking to you today from the chapel of the former Middlesex hospital in London. Now itself a vibrant community space and thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth, who with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart care for others, often, at some cost to themselves.
‘From a personal point of view, I offer heartfelt special 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 that we have needed.
‘I’m deeply grateful to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.
‘On our recent visit to the south Pacific, to attend the Commonwealth Summit, I was reminded constantly of the strength which institutions, as well as individuals, can draw from one another and of how diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength not weakness.
‘Across the Commonwealth, we are held together by a willingness to listen to each other, to learn from one another, and to find just how much we have in common because through listening, we learn to respect our differences, to defeat prejudice, and to open up new possibilities.
‘I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when in response to anger and lawlessness, in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviours but to repair, to repair not just buildings, but relationships and most importantly, to repair trust by listening and through deciding how to act for the good of all.
Again listening is a recurrent theme of the Nativity story. Mary the Mother of Jesus listened to the angel who revealed to her a different future full of hope for all people.
‘The message of the angels to the shepherds that there should be peace on Earth in fact echoes through all faiths and philosophies. It rings true to this day for people of goodwill across the world.
‘And so it is with this in mind that I wish you, and all those you love, a most joyful and peaceful Christmas.’
The King also praised how people swept the streets and collected bricks in the clear-up operation.
He also reflected on his visit to Samoa in October and remarked how the Commonwealth’s strengths lies in its ‘diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith’.
Highlights of his year were also shown including being hugged by a massive group of rugby players, scenes from Kate’s annual carol concert and crowds outside Sydney Opera House meeting him and Camilla.
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