In a heartfelt Christmas Day address to the nation and Commonwealth, Britain's King Charles III delivered a powerful call for unity and understanding in a world he described as marked by division. The monarch's annual festive message, broadcast on Thursday, December 25, 2025, emphasised the enduring values of compassion and reconciliation.
A Message for a Divided World
The 77-year-old sovereign recorded his speech within the historic walls of Westminster Abbey. He spoke directly to the challenges of the present moment, stating that as we hear of division both at home and abroad, these are the values of which we must never lose sight. He expressed that the courage shown by communities and individuals offers a guiding light.
King Charles found particular inspiration in how people from various religious backgrounds share a common desire for peace. I find it enormously encouraging how people of different faiths have a shared longing for peace, he remarked. His words were illustrated with visuals, including scenes from the tragic Bondi Beach attack in Australia earlier in the month, where a Jewish event was targeted.
Honouring Courage and Shared History
The King paid special tribute to ordinary people who perform extraordinary acts of bravery. Individuals and communities have displayed spontaneous bravery, instinctively placing themselves in harm's way to defend others, he said, directly referencing those who risked their lives during the violence at Bondi.
Reflecting on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Charles drew a parallel to today's challenges. He highlighted the timeless message from the courage of servicemen and women and the post-war community spirit, stating these are the values which have shaped our country.
Personal Faith and Historic Outreach
The monarch, who is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, framed his appeal through his Christian faith. It seems to me that we need to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation the way our Lord lived and died, he urged listeners. This theme of interfaith unity was not new for Charles, who made history in October 2025 by becoming the first head of the Church of England to pray publicly with a pope since the schism with Rome 500 years ago. He shared a moment of prayer with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, calling it a historic moment of spiritual unity.
His commitment to this path was further demonstrated just days before that Vatican visit, when he met survivors of a deadly synagogue attack and members of the Jewish community in Manchester, England.
Notably, the King's message this year focused solely on his public themes, making no mention of his personal battle with cancer announced the previous year, nor of the controversies surrounding his brother, Prince Andrew. Andrew was stripped of his royal titles in October over his connections to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The broadcast featured images of the royal lineage, including his son and heir, Prince William, and grandson, Prince George. It concluded with a poignant performance by a Ukrainian choir formed after Russia's 2022 invasion, symbolising resilience. Later on Christmas Day, the King, alongside other royals including Andrew's daughters, attended a traditional service at St Mary Magdalene Church on his Sandringham estate.
