King praises 'timeless' Second World War values in Christmas message
The King drew on war, community and pilgrimage in his Christmas broadcast.
The King has used his Christmas message to urge the nation to “never lose sight” of the Second World War values of courage, sacrifice and community spirit in a divided world.
In the wake of the Bondi Beach shootings and the Manchester synagogue attack, Charles also praised the “spontaneous bravery” of those who put themselves in “harm’s way to defend others”.
He put communities at the heart of his message, commenting on the benefits of their “diversity”.
Charles has long seen his role as helping to build bridges between communities, faith groups and others, believing he is a part of society, not apart from it.
In a year that marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day, Charles said: “The end of the Second World War is now remembered by fewer and fewer of us, as the years pass.
“But the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and the way communities came together in the face of such great challenge, carry a timeless message for us all.
“These are the values which have shaped our country and the Commonwealth. As we hear of division, both at home and abroad, they are the values of which we must never lose sight.”
Across the country, the past 12 months have seen division growing over a number of issues, from protests over the housing of asylum seekers, polarisation in the political landscape, so-called culture wars making headlines and the continued cost-of-living crisis widening the gap between the rich and poor and fuelling discontent between the generations.
The King went on to comment on examples of right overcoming wrong at home and overseas: “These stories of the triumph of courage over adversity give me hope, from our venerable military veterans to selfless humanitarian workers in this century’s most dangerous conflict zones; to the ways in which individuals and communities display spontaneous bravery, instinctively placing themselves in harm’s way to defend others.”
The traditional message included footage of an event marking the VE Day anniversary, with the Prince of Wales and Prince George meeting Second World War veterans at a Buckingham Palace tea party, and another video of the King taking part in a VJ Day ceremony.
The broadcast showed Charles at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, where he visited survivors of the October terror attack and met those who blocked the doors as a knife-wielding assailant tried to get in.
An arch in Sydney, Australia, with the words Bondi Beach was seen in footage followed by hundreds of floral tributes left after two gunmen targeted a Jewish festival, killing 15 people.
The widely acclaimed hero of the massacre, Syrian-born immigrant Ahmed al Ahmed, was shot after wrestling a firearm from one of the gunmen.
The King also referenced the impact new technologies can have on wellbeing and community cohesion as the world spins “ever faster”, suggesting the festive period might be a moment to recharge and for those communities to grow stronger.
He said: “Indeed, as our world seems to spin ever faster, our journeying may pause, to quieten our minds – in TS Eliot’s words ‘At the still point of the turning world’ – and allow our souls to renew.
“In this, with the great diversity of our communities, we can find the strength to ensure that right triumphs over wrong.”
An aide to the King said: “I think His Majesty hopes that, if nothing else, Christmas might afford a moment when people could experiment with something of a ‘digital detox’ to focus more on our friendships, our families and our faith for those who practise.
“In this way the King hopes our minds may find greater peace, our souls can renew, and our communities grow stronger.”
The address, recorded on December 11 in Westminster Abbey’s Lady Chapel, made no reference to Charles’s recent “good news” announcement about reducing his cancer treatment, reflecting his wish for his message to mirror society’s experiences during the past 12 months.
There was a strong religious element in the address from the King, a committed Anglican Christian, who included a key theme of pilgrimage.
He emphasised the Biblical journeys made by Mary and Joseph, arriving “homeless” in Bethlehem, and the three wise men and shepherds to pay homage to the baby Jesus.
The figures in the Christmas story relied on “companionship and kindness of others” during their pilgrimages and found “inner strength” to deal with physical and mental challenges.
Charles’s recent state visit to the Vatican celebrated the Papal Jubilee year themed “Pilgrims of Hope”.
Meanwhile, Westminster Abbey is a pilgrim church as it contains the shrine of the canonised Edward the Confessor, whose tomb has attracted pilgrims for centuries.
The Christmas message of “peace and reconciliation” delivered by angels when they proclaimed the arrival of Jesus – “the greatest pilgrimage of all” – was a “prayer for our times and our communities”, the King said.
Prince George featured again in footage with his father, William, making a private visit to the homeless charity The Passage, where they donned aprons and helped prepare food.
Charles added: “To this day, in times of uncertainty, these ways of living are treasured by all the great faiths and provide us with deep wells of hope: of resilience in the face of adversity; peace through forgiveness; simply getting to know our neighbours and, by showing respect to one another, creating new friendships.”
Members of the Royal Family were featured during the broadcast, from Camilla in a red phone box with a group of children during a visit to Dulwich Picture Gallery and William and the Duchess of Edinburgh clinking paper cups of gin at the Royal Cornwall Show.
Charles’s continued support for Ukraine since the early period of Russia’s invasion was reflected in the choice of choir, Songs for Ukraine Chorus, who closed the broadcast by singing the hugely popular Carol Of The Bells, based on a song by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych.
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