King Charles III has delivered his annual Christmas message to the nation and the Commonwealth, marking his second festive address since ascending the throne.
A Historic Visit and a Theme of Pilgrimage
The monarch began his 2025 Christmas Day speech by reflecting on a significant recent event. He and the Queen were delighted to make a state visit to the Vatican a few weeks prior, where they prayed with Pope Leo in a moment of spiritual unity. This encounter celebrated the Jubilee theme of 'Pilgrims of Hope'.
King Charles emphasised that the concept of pilgrimage, while less commonly used today, holds deep relevance. He described it as a journey that looks forward to the future while also looking back to learn from the past. The King connected this idea to the nation's commemorations during the summer of 2025, specifically the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day.
Timeless Values in a Divided World
Reflecting on the end of the Second World War, the King noted that fewer people now remember it firsthand. However, he stressed that the courage and sacrifice of servicemen and women, and the community spirit shown in the face of adversity, carry a timeless message. These are the values that have shaped the UK and the Commonwealth, he asserted, values we must cling to amid divisions at home and abroad.
He movingly highlighted the youth of those who fell, noting that the graves in war cemeteries remind us many were just 18, 19, or 20 years old. The King then masterfully wove this theme into the Christmas story itself, pointing out that journeying is central to the Nativity.
The Christmas Story: The Ultimate Pilgrimage
The holy family travelled to Bethlehem, he noted, arriving without proper shelter. The Wise Men undertook a pilgrimage from the east, and the shepherds journeyed from their fields. In each case, they relied on the companionship and kindness of others, finding inner strength through challenge.
King Charles stated that these ways of living—resilience, peace through forgiveness, and showing respect to neighbours—are treasured by all great faiths and provide "deep wells of hope". In a fast-spinning world, he suggested we may need to pause our journeying to quieten our minds, quoting T.S. Eliot's 'at the still point of the turning world'.
A Call for Compassion and Reconciliation
The sovereign expressed his belief in the need to cherish compassion and reconciliation, the way Jesus lived and died. He shared that throughout the year, he has been inspired by countless examples of this spirit triumphing.
His examples ranged from:
- Venerable military veterans.
- Selfless humanitarian workers in dangerous conflict zones.
- Individuals displaying spontaneous bravery to defend others.
King Charles found enormous encouragement in meeting people of different faiths and discovering shared longings for peace and respect for all life. He concluded that the greatest pilgrimage is the one celebrated on Christmas Day: the story of Jesus, who came to bring peace on Earth.
The prayer for peace and reconciliation, he said, that rang out over Bethlehem two thousand years ago, still reverberates around the world today. It is a prayer for our times, he affirmed, before wishing everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas with his whole heart.
