King Charles III spoke of the environment and peace in his traditional Christmas message broadcast this Monday, the second since his accession to the throne.
“We take care of the earth for the fate of our children’s children,” declared the 75-year-old sovereign in this message, recorded this year at Buckingham Palace, in front of a “living” fir tree which was then replanted. “Throughout my life, I have been so delighted to see the growing awareness of the need to protect the earth and nature as the home we all share,” he added.
A call for charity
A long-time supporter of nature protection, the king remains very committed to this theme despite the reservation linked to his function. He gave a speech at the opening of the UN COP28 conference in Dubai, where he called for a “decisive turning point” on climate, just as Rishi Sunak’s conservative British government is facing accusations the ranks of its majority to lose interest in environmental issues.
Hailing the generosity of those who devote their lives to others, Charles III further rejoiced in his Christmas message at the presence of volunteers who attended his coronation and that of Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on 6 may. “They constitute the essential backbone of our society”, “their presence (…) underlined the meaning of the coronation: above all, a call to all of us to serve each other, to love and care of all,” he said.
“And at a time of increasingly tragic conflicts across the world, I pray that we can also do everything in our power to protect each other,” he added, wishing everyone “a Christmas of peace on earth”, “today and always”.
Christmas Mass at Sandringham
Continuing the tradition observed by his mother Elizabeth II, the king attended Christmas mass in Sandringham, eastern England, with the royal family.
Charles III was accompanied to the church by Camilla and his eldest son William with his wife Kate and their three children. But Prince Harry and Meghan, at odds with the family, remained in the United States.
Prince Andrew, brother of the king withdrawn from the monarchy because of his links with the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein and accusations of sexual assault settled by an amicable agreement, was present.