Like every December 25th and at the same time since 1932 [a las 3 de la tarde, una hora más en la España peninsular] The entire British nation awaits their monarch’s Christmas speech. On this occasion, and for the first time, the person in charge was the recently sacked King Charles III. Of England (aged 74), who was appointed after the death of his mother Elizabeth II on 18 September.
This year 2022 was a hard year for the English who in a few months had to see a regent die after decades on the throne (70 years); Rise to a new monarch and even get used to a new anthem and currency issue. This speech is another step towards the new normal that Brits are having to get used to.
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As expected and only just beginning, an emotional Carlos III, dressed in a blue suit, commemorated the memory of his mother who died at Balmoral Castle aged 96: “I sit in this exquisite Chapel of Saint George at Windsor Castle , near where my beloved mother, the late Queen, rests with my dear father. In this moment, I remember the heartbreaking letters, cards and messages so many of you have sent to my wife and I, and I cannot thank you enough for the love and concern you have shown to our entire family.”
“Christmas is a particularly moving time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We sense their absence and commemorate them in every precious tradition,” the king continued in his five-minute speech. “In the Christmas carol Oh Little Town of Bethlehem we sing about how in the dark streets the eternal light shines,” he added.
As she explained, her mother, Elizabeth II, believed that the power of this light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in human beings: “And it’s something I totally share in my heart. I believe in each person’s extraordinary ability to touch the lives of others with kindness and compassion and to shine their own light into the world around them. This is the essence of our community and the foundation of our society.”
Carlos III also thanked the commitment, work and dedication of the armed forces and rescue services when Isabel II died: “You protected us”. In addition, he has offered words of encouragement to healthcare professionals; Teachers and for everyone working in the public sector: “Your skills and dedication are at the heart of many communities.”
The monarch did not want to forget those currently facing wars; by famine or natural disasters or people unable to pay their bills to keep their homes fed and warm – inflation in the UK is currently around 11% -: ‘Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and Gurdwaras – a Sikh religious cult – have come together again to feed the hungry and offer love and support throughout the year. Such sincere solidarity is the most inspiring expression of charity.” “The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales and shed light on some practical examples of this community spirit,” the monarch stressed, referring to his son William and daughter-in-law Catherine.
“While Christmas is of course a Christian celebration, the power of light to overcome darkness is celebrated across faith lines,” he added. “True humility lies in our service to others, and I believe that is where we can find hope for the future. So let’s celebrate it together and always pay attention to it, ”has had an effect. And he ended with one: “Whatever your faith, or if you have no faith, it is this light that gives life, and with the true humility that dwells in service to others, where I believe we have hope can find for the future. With all my heart I wish each of you a peaceful, happy and everlasting Christmas.
The speech was recorded on December 13 and delivered for the first time at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, the place where the remains of Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, the parents of the monarch, rest: “It is a Place that has royal connections unique.” With these words he justified the British royal family Changing the location of the voice recording on your Twitter profile. “Royal weddings and funerals have been held here, most recently Queen Elizabeth II’s farewell service in September,” the post added on the social network. A remarkable change, for for decades the speech has been recorded at Sandringham, Norfolk, the country home where the family usually spends these important meetings, and sometimes at Buckingham.
In the 2021 Christmas Address, Elizabeth II paid a partial tribute to her husband Philip of Edinburgh, who died in April of the same year. It was the monarch’s last speech. It should be remembered that the Queen was the first British regent to not only give a voice to this annual reflection, as her father George VI did on the radio, but also to give it an image. He did it in 1957. Now the baton is passed to Charles III. passed from England, who will be crowned next May.
⛪️ This year’s show was filmed at St George’s Chapel in Windsor – a place that has unique royal associations.
Royal weddings and funerals have been held here, most recently The Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II in September. pic.twitter.com/QXbaniO7Sx
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 24, 2022
During the speech, Carlos III failed to mention his youngest son Enrique de Inglaterra and his wife Meghan Markle, both protagonists of the documentary about his life on Netflix that has spilled gallons of ink in the British press. The six chapters broadcast by the platform have reopened wounds and unleashed a veritable tsunami for their statements about royalties.
Another Christmas for the Windsors
Hours before the speech, the royal family has gathered to go to the traditional service, which is celebrated every Christmas Day at Sandringham Church. Although this year is different from the previous ones due to the death of the Queen and the absence of Meghan and Enrique from the celebrations, the Windsors wanted to show unity given the media flurry they have been caught up in. And the fact is that, despite everything, the family will celebrate these holidays following tradition.
Another notable change this Christmas is that Charles III of England invited the children of Camila, Queen Consort, Thomas Parker Bowles, 47, and Laura Lopes, 44, to spend the holiday with them. Elizabeth II always denied her son this opportunity and never invited her. In addition, their partners and children also took part. According to The Mirror newspaper, Tom, a writer and food critic, has been married to fashion editor Sara Buys since 2005 and has two children, Lola and Frederick, aged 15 and 12; Laura, an artistic curator, is in turn married to accountant Harry Lopes and they have three children, Eliza, 14, and twins Gus and Louis, who will be 13 on December 30.