In a Christmas Day message that touched on global conflict and Britain’s summer riots, King Charles thanked the doctors who cared for him and his daughter-in-law Kate after undergoing cancer treatment this year.
In his third Christmas TV broadcast since becoming king, Charles struck an unusually personal tone for a royal seasonal message, a tradition that dates back to a radio address by George V in 1932.
It has been a painful year for the royal family since Buckingham Palace said in February that the 76-year-old had been diagnosed with undetected cancer in tests following a corrective procedure for an enlarged prostate.
A month later, Kate, the wife of his son and heir Prince William, said she was undergoing preventive chemotherapy for cancer, which ended in September. William says the year has been brutal for the family.
Charles, who became king in 2022 after the death of Queen Elizabeth, said: “We all go through some form of pain at some point in our lives, whether it’s mental or physical.”
Her words were accompanied by footage of a visit to a cancer treatment center as she returned to public duties in April and was one of Kate’s first engagements when she began working.
“From a personal point of view, I give special thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainty and anxiety of the disease this year, and have helped to provide us with the strength, care and comfort we need,” Charles said. said
“I am also deeply grateful to everyone who has offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement,” he said in a pre-recorded broadcast that was filmed in the ornate chapel of the former London hospital.
Last week, palace sources said the king’s treatment was progressing well and would continue into next year.
Earlier on Wednesday, Charles joined his family, including Kate, William and their children, for a traditional church service at the Sandringham estate in eastern England.
Charles’ brother Prince Andrew, who was embroiled in another scandal this month when a close business associate was banned from Britain over government suspicions he was a Chinese agent, was notably absent from the royal gathering.
Diversity is a strength
King spoke about the nationwide riots, which broke out in northern England in July after the killing of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed event, and mainly targeted mosques and immigrants.
‘Diversity of culture, caste and faith gives strength, not weakness’, he said.
“Here in the United Kingdom I felt a deep sense of pride when, in response to the anger and chaos in many cities this summer, communities came together not to repeat these behaviors, but to repair, to repair, not just buildings, but relationships.” said
Charles also mentioned the ongoing wars.
“On this Christmas Day, we cannot help but think about the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, Central Europe, Africa and elsewhere, which pose a daily threat to the lives and livelihoods of many people,” he said.
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