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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Milica Cosic

King's Speech in full: Historic moment for Charles as he delivers speech to nation

King Charles III delivered his inaugural Christmas speech to the nation today.

It is the first time that the monarch has ever delivered a televised speech on television, as he looked back on the current year and reinstated national values.

At 3pm on Sunday, December 25 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer millions took to their screens to watch the solemn and reflective speech.

The speech was a tribute to his late mother and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who passed in September this year.

In her final Christmas message, the late Queen spoke of "passing the baton" to the next generation.

The eight-minute message, which was pre-recorded on 13 December at St George's Chapel in Windsor, shed light on the "power of light overcoming darkness".

King Charles gave his first Christmas speech at the Quire of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Berkshire (PA)

The pre-recorded message began with Charles reflecting on how he was standing "so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father" in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, and he thanked the public for the "love and sympathy" following her passing.

The monarch also alluded to the turbulent time in the UK, as he spoke of "community and the very foundation of our society" - including the Covid aftermath, politics, the Ukraine war and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Charles spoke about the "great anxiety and hardship" experienced by many trying to "pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm" during his televised message, which featured footage of a foodbank and other scenes of meals being distributed to the homeless.

The King also took to speak about his own faith and that of others, urging all to unify and "celebrate it together".

The Royal Family came together this year during the 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in London (PA)

Here is King's Christmas broadcast speech in full:

"I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father.

"I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.

"Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones.

"We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.

"In the much-loved carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem we sing of how 'in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light'.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort were in a cheerful mood this morning as they attend the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church (UK Press via Getty Images)

"My mother's belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart.

"It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.

"This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society.

"We see it in the selfless dedication of our Armed Forces and Emergency Services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed so magnificently as we mourned the passing of our late Queen.

Charles paid a tribute to his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, following her passing in September this year (Getty Images)

"We see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers and indeed all those working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities.

"And at this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others.

"I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organizations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances.

"Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year.

"Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self.

"The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit.

"Some years ago, I was able to fulfil a life-long wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.

"There, I went down into the Chapel of the Manger and stood in silent reverence by the Silver Star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of our Lord Jesus Christ's birth.

"It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, 'The light that has come into the world' was born.

"While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.

"So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future.

"Let us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always.

"With all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light."

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