From any point of view, this has been an extraordinarily difficult year for King Charles.
Both he and his beloved daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer – a huge shock not only to them, but to the nation as a whole.
And although Catherine recently completed her chemotherapy, the monarch’s battle against the disease goes on.
So how reassuring to hear Charles deliver a stirringly upbeat Christmas address. It was a typical blend of wisdom and inspiration, while also being deeply personal.
The overarching theme of the broadcast underpinned the Christmas message of peace and goodwill to all. And while unashamedly Christian in content, it was careful not to exclude those who worship other religions, or none.
Breaking with tradition, the King spoke from the Grade II-listed Fitzrovia Chapel, a breathtakingly ornate former sacred space on the site of a demolished central London hospital – a nod to the health challenges faced by the royals in 2024.
His Majesty poignantly paid tribute to the ‘selfless’ doctors and nurses who provided ‘strength, care and comfort’ to him and the princess during cancer treatment.
But by not mentioning the ‘C’ word itself, Charles headed off any accusation he was wallowing in self-pity. As he rightly noted: ‘All of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our lives.’
King Charles III during his Christmas speech. Charles delivered a stirringly upbeat Christmas address. It was a typical blend of wisdom and inspiration, while also being deeply personal
The Princess of Wales at Sandringham yesterday. Both the King and his beloved daughter-in-law were diagnosed with cancer this year – a huge shock not only to them, but to the nation as a whole
Elsewhere, the King emphasised the importance of togetherness and shared civic values in times of social tension.
He spoke of his ‘deep sense of pride’ when, in the wake of the summer’s riots after the murder of three little girls in Southport, communities ‘came together to repair… not just buildings, but relationships and trust’.
But the truth is, it is hard not to feel that this country has gone backwards during the past 12 months – especially when our society has for many decades confidently expected each year to end with a sense of progress.
The brutal facts are that this Christmas we are less well off, more heavily taxed, less safe from crime, less well treated for sickness and injury, and seem a good deal more chaotic than we were a year ago.
Our institutions – both civic and political – are in worryingly poor health. The Tories were kicked out of government for being hopeless. Yet after just five short months in power, Labour is showing every sign it will be even worse.
Yesterday, on the most holy of days, the embattled Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell (pictured) used his sermon to admit the church must ‘kneel in penitence’ over its appalling handling of sex abuse scandals
And what about the many failings of the Church of England, to whom many of us still look for guidance?
Yesterday, on the most holy of days, the embattled Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell used his sermon to admit the church must ‘kneel in penitence’ over its appalling handling of sex abuse scandals.
In such troubled times, the Royal Family can be a force to unite the nation in shared values and ageless ideals.
The King yesterday proved that to be true. His leadership, optimism and indomitable spirit are an example to us all.
A disastrous deal
The Chagos Islands. Voters cannot understand why Labour wants to surrender sovereignty of a strategically vital British territory that includes the UK-US military base at Diego Garcia
It is reported that Mauritius will refuse to take the Chagos Islands from Britain unless we pay it even more money for the privilege.
If so, the Government should seize the excuse and walk away from this disastrous deal.
Voters cannot understand why Labour wants to surrender sovereignty of a strategically vital British territory that includes the UK-US military base at Diego Garcia.
If Sir Keir thinks this virtue-signalling will make us popular with those who would do us harm and make the world safer, he is deluding himself. It is time he stopped playing student politics with global security.
