In his annual Christmas speech, King Charles III thanked health workers who have been providing care for the royal family and is “tirelessly” providing aid to people caught up in conflict around the world. He praised humanitarian workers.
The 76-year-old British monarch delivered his speech from Fitzrovia Chapel, a community space in London and a former hospital chapel, bypassing the tradition in which monarchs usually deliver their holiday greetings at castles or palaces. .
“From a personal perspective, I would like to thank the selfless doctors and nurses who have supported me and my family this year through the uncertainty and anxiety caused by the disease and who have given us strength, care and comfort. I would like to give a special and heartfelt thank you to the many people who supported me,” Charles said in a nearly seven-minute speech.
This year has been fraught with health challenges for the royal family. Buckingham Palace announced in early February that Prince Charles, who will take the throne in 2022, had been diagnosed with cancer and has been receiving treatment since then. A month later, Charles' daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was diagnosed with cancer.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has extended their warmest sympathy and words of encouragement to us,” Charles said.
Charles also spoke about people suffering in wars around the world, including in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan.
“But on this Christmas Day, we think of those whose lives and livelihoods are threatened every day by the devastating effects of conflict in the Middle East, Central Europe, Africa and beyond. “I can't help it,” the king said. .
“We are also thinking of the humanitarian organizations working tirelessly to bring critical relief,” he added.
