King speaks of faith, hope and service in our troubled world during Christmas Day broadcast

Volunteers, tragic conflict, the planet and the need to protect each other were all touched upon by the monarch in the traditional address.

The King has praised the “selfless army” of volunteers serving communities across the country, describing them as the “essential backbone of our society” in his Christmas broadcast.

Charles said the presence of community stalwarts among the guests to his Coronation emphasised the meaning of the ceremony – “a call to us all to serve one another” – and he concluded by thanking those who were “caring for our common home”.

With the Israel-Hamas war still raging, and other battles including the Russian invasion of Ukraine unresolved, the King suggested one of the central tenets of Christianity: treating all like you want to be treated, was more apt than ever.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk this morning ahead of the traditional Christmas Day broadcast at 3pm. PIC:Joe Giddens/PA Wire.

He said: “And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other.

“The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’.”

Charles, who in November launched his Coronation Food Project to support charities feeding the disadvantaged with unwanted produce, said: “…we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than ourselves.”

There was also an environmental element to the address from the King, who has spent much of his adult life defending the planet and now found “great inspiration” from the many people who recognise “we must protect the Earth and our natural world”.

The Christmas broadcast, the second of Charles’s reign, was delivered standing up in Buckingham Palace’s centre room which opens onto the famous balcony overlooking The Mall.

The King told the nation and Commonwealth: “Over this past year my heart has been warmed by countless examples of the imaginative ways in which people are caring for one another – going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it is the right thing to do: at work and at home; within and across communities.

“My wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army of people – volunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and with such distinction – were able to join us in Westminster Abbey for the coronation earlier this year.

“They are an essential backbone of our society.”

Footage was shown of seated coronation guests, the King processing through the abbey after his crowning, and finally appearing on the palace’s balcony with the Queen as they acknowledged the crowds with a wave.

Charles added: “Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasised the meaning of coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.”

The Christmas broadcast was written by the King and had a strong Christian element, a reflection of the head of state who described himself as a “committed Anglican Christian” during a reception for faith leaders after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

For the second successive year the King recognised other faiths, describing how “great religions of the world” celebrated festivals with a special meal, and how it was the responsibility of “people of all faiths and of none” to care for the natural world.