On December 25, 2025, King Charles III delivered a Christmas message that resonated far beyond the traditional trappings of the holiday season, calling for unity, courage, and compassion in a world he described as increasingly divided and uncertain. The address, filmed in the historic Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey, marked the monarch’s fourth Christmas broadcast since ascending the throne and came at a time of both global and personal challenges for the royal family and the United Kingdom.
In his speech, King Charles reflected on the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day, drawing on the wartime spirit and the values that sustained Britain and its allies during the darkest days of World War II. “We should never lose sight of the values in which communities came together in the face of such great challenge,” the King said, according to BBC. He praised the “courage and sacrifice” of that generation, reminding viewers that these values have long shaped the country and the Commonwealth.
The monarch’s message was deeply rooted in the idea of life as a shared journey—a pilgrimage, as he put it—where looking back helps guide the way forward. “Pilgrimage is a word less used today, but it has particular significance for our modern world,” Charles noted, as reported by CNN. “It is about journeying forward into the future while also journeying back to remember the past and learn from its lessons.”
King Charles did not shy away from acknowledging the divisions and tensions facing both the UK and the world at large. He referenced the “great diversity of our communities” and expressed hope that this diversity could become a source of strength, rather than division. “With the great diversity of our communities, we can find the strength to ensure that right triumphs over wrong,” the King said, a theme echoed throughout his address and highlighted by CBC News. He continued, “As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common, a shared longing for peace and a deep respect for all life.”
The King’s speech was punctuated by references to current events that have tested the resilience of communities. He praised the “spontaneous bravery” of individuals who intervened during emergencies, such as the bystanders who responded to the Bondi Beach attack in Australia earlier this month and those who acted during the synagogue attack in Manchester in October. “Individuals and communities have displayed spontaneous bravery, instinctively placing themselves in harm’s way to defend others,” Charles stated, as reported by BBC. Footage accompanying the broadcast showed the King meeting survivors and emergency responders, as well as scenes of memorials honoring the victims.
In a nod to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Christmas broadcast featured a performance by a Ukrainian choir—many members of whom are in the UK as a result of the conflict. Dressed in traditional embroidered shirts, the choir’s rendition of “Carol of the Bells” was a poignant reminder of the King’s continued support for Ukraine. According to CBC News, King Charles has hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Windsor Castle three times in 2025 alone, most recently in October. The inclusion of the Ukrainian choir symbolized solidarity with those affected by war and displacement.
Charles also referenced his state visit to the Vatican in October, where he and Pope Leo prayed together—a historic moment marking the first joint worship by a British monarch and a Catholic pontiff since the English Reformation. “We prayed with Pope Leo in a historic moment of spiritual unity,” he said, as quoted by CNN. The King used this example to highlight the importance of building bridges between faiths and fostering spiritual unity in an era marked by religious and political strife.
The setting for the King’s address was itself steeped in history and symbolism. Westminster Abbey, where monarchs have been crowned since 1066, houses the Lady Chapel—the final resting place of 15 kings and queens, including Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. The Christmas trees in the background were repurposed from the Princess of Wales’s annual “Together at Christmas” service, reinforcing the theme of continuity and renewal.
The broadcast also included subtle yet meaningful nods to the royal family’s recent activities and milestones. Footage showed Prince George visiting the Passage homelessness charity with Prince William, a gesture underscoring the family’s commitment to community service. Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Princess Charlotte performed a surprise piano duet as part of the program’s opening sequence, which aired on December 24, adding a touch of warmth and festivity to the occasion.
Despite a year marked by personal and familial challenges, King Charles’s speech steered clear of direct references to his own health or ongoing family controversies. Earlier in December, the monarch had shared that his cancer treatment would be scaled back in the new year, while Princess Kate announced her remission from chemotherapy in January after completing treatment the previous September. The King also made no mention of his brother Andrew, who was stripped of his Duke of York and prince titles in 2025 following renewed scrutiny of his associations with Jeffrey Epstein, as reported by CBC News.
Nonetheless, the year was not without moments of reconciliation. In September, Charles and Prince Harry met for tea—their first meeting in nearly two years. Harry, who is based in the United States, expressed hope for healing, calling life “precious” and acknowledging the limited time to mend ties. This rare moment of familial rapprochement offered a glimmer of hope for the future, even as the monarchy navigated turbulent waters.
The King’s Christmas address, a tradition dating back to 1932, is one of the few occasions when the monarch speaks directly to the nation without government guidance. This year’s message leaned heavily on religious teachings and the Christmas story, with Charles describing Jesus, Mary, and Joseph as a “homeless” family and emphasizing the universal themes of peace, reconciliation, and the importance of “getting to know our neighbours.”
He quoted poet TS Eliot, urging viewers to find the “still point of the turning world” amid the rapid pace of technological and social change. A royal aide explained that this was a subtle reference to the impact of new technologies on communities and the potential value of a “digital detox.”
Earlier on Christmas Day, the King led the royal family in a carol service at St Mary Magdalene Church on his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, greeting crowds who had gathered on the crisp morning. The day’s events, from the Abbey to Sandringham, underscored the monarchy’s enduring role as both a symbol of tradition and a participant in the evolving story of modern Britain.
King Charles’s message this Christmas was clear: in times of uncertainty and division, the values of courage, compassion, and unity are more vital than ever. By drawing on the lessons of the past and embracing the diversity of the present, he urged Britons—and indeed, people everywhere—to work together so that right may triumph over wrong, and hope may endure in even the most challenging times.
