King Charles III made his second Christmas broadcast as monarch, 15 months on from the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
It is expected to air at approximately 1am AEST, 1:30am ACDT, 2am AEDT, and 5am AWST time on Boxing Day in Australia.
Last year, the then 74-year-old made history as the first King to deliver a televised Christmas speech.
King Charles III is set to make his second Christmas broadcast as monarch, 15 months on from the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
It is expected to air at approximately 1am AEST, 1:30am ACDT, 2am AEDT, and 5am AWST time on Boxing Day in Australia.
Last year, the then 74-year-old made history as the first King to deliver a televised Christmas speech.
He continued his speech touching on the importance of service and honouring those that serve their community.
“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,” Charles continued.
“They are an essential backbone of our society.
“Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasized the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.
“Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story—the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves.
He continued his speech touching on the importance of service and honouring those that serve their community.
“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,” Charles continued.
“They are an essential backbone of our society.
“Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasized the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.
“Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story—the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves.
Towards the end of his speech, the King raises topics of personal importance to him including the environment, religion and peace.
Charles explains: “During my lifetime I have been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must protect the Earth and our natural world as the one home which we all share.
“I find great inspiration now from the way so many people recognize this—as does the Christmas Story, which tells us that angels brought the message of hope first to shepherds.
“These were people who lived simply amongst others of God’s creatures. Those close to nature were privileged that night…
“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.’
“Such values are universal, drawing together our Abrahamic family of religions, and other belief systems, across the Commonwealth and wider world.
“They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours, and to seek their good as we would our own.
“So on this Christmas Day my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another; all who are caring for our common home; and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know.
“In this way, we bring out the best in ourselves. I wish you a Christmas of ‘peace on Earth and goodwill to all’, today and always,” Charles concluded.
This story appeared first on our sister website, New Idea.