London: Britain's King Charles III focussed his customary Christmas broadcast on Monday on the importance of caring for the Earth and the natural world, along with a message of peace in times of increasingly tragic conflict in the world. The message was filmed in the Centre Room at Buckingham Palace in London, with its iconic balcony and view of the Victoria Memorial in the background.
In a royal first, the 75-year-old monarch delivered his festive message to the UK and Commonwealth standing beside a re-plantable Christmas tree. The living tree is kept in a pot so it can be used next year, along with sustainable decorations used to hang from its branches as a nod to the King's environmental campaigning.
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, the King said. I find great inspiration now from the way so many people recognise 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, he said.
The self-penned message by the royal was intended to cover issues important to the King, who is spending Christmas at his royal Sandringham House estate in Norfolk from where the royal family walked down for a traditional church service. The King's message noted: 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. The monarch also used his message to express gratitude for the many selfless army of volunteers who joined him and Queen Camilla at their Coronation at Westminster Abbey in May.
"They are an essential backbone of our society. Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasised the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all, he said.
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, he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate released a new photograph of their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to celebrate Christmas. In the black and white photo, which was taken by Josh Shinner, the children are seen sitting on a wooden bench. (PTI)
