LONDON | King Charles III spoke about the environment and peace in his traditional Christmas message on Monday, the second since his accession to the throne.
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“We care for the earth for the fate of our children’s children,” the 75-year-old ruler said in the message, recorded at Buckingham Palace this year in front of a “live” fir tree that was subsequently replanted.
“Throughout my life, I have seen with great joy the growing awareness of the need to protect the earth and nature as our common home,” he added.
As a long-time supporter of nature conservation, the King remains very committed to this issue, despite the reservations associated with his role. He gave a speech at the opening of the UN COP28 conference in Dubai in which he called for a “tipping point” on climate, just as Rishi Sunak's Conservative British government faces accusations from its majority of losing interest in environmental issues .
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Charles III in his Christmas message hailed the generosity of those who dedicate their lives to others and also welcomed the presence of volunteers who attended his coronation and the coronation of Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6.
“They form the essential backbone of our society,” “their presence (…) underlined the importance of the coronation: above all, a call to all of us to serve one another, to love and care for each,” he said.
“And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we can also do everything in our power to protect one another,” he added, wishing everyone “a Christmas of peace on earth,” today and always”.
The king continued the tradition of his mother Elizabeth II and attended Christmas mass with the royal family in Sandringham in the east of England.
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Charles III was accompanied to church by Camilla and his eldest son William with his wife Kate and their three children. But Prince Harry and Meghan remained in the USA due to the dispute with the family.
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In attendance was Prince Andrew, the king's brother, who resigned from the monarchy over his ties to the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual assault settled through an amicable settlement.