The King’s message has alluded to the Bondi Beach and Manchester synagogue attacks as he paid tribute to those who show “spontaneous bravery” and put “themselves in harm’s way to defend others”.
The monarch shared a powerful message about the need for kindness, compassion and hope “in times of uncertainty”, “as we hear of division both at home and abroad”.
He also appeared to encourage us all to switch off from our gadgets for a while to “allow our souls to renew”.
In his annual message, with an overriding theme of pilgrimage, the King used the traditional Christmas story, the journey of the holy family, the shepherds and wise men visiting Jesus, to reflect on the challenges faced in society today.
“In each case,” he said, “they journeyed with others; and relied on the companionship and kindness of others. Through physical and mental challenge, they found an inner strength.
“To this day, in times of uncertainty, these ways of living are treasured by all the great faiths and provide us with deep wells of hope: of resilience in the face of adversity; peace through forgiveness; simply getting to know our neighbours and, by showing respect to one another, creating new friendships.”
The monarch did not mention specific examples of division in the UK or global conflicts, but his message appears to be one with a strong social purpose, underlining his desire to use his role to help build better relations across different communities and between countries.
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It is emphasised by the appearance of the Songs for Ukraine Chorus choir.
Founded in 2023 in response to the war in Ukraine, it brings together singers from across the Ukrainian community and supporters living in the UK.
The carol they sang inside Westminster Abbey, Carol of the Bells, is based on a song by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. The King has hosted Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on several occasions this year to show his support.
In a year in which the Royal Family joined veterans to celebrate the 80th Anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, the King also reflected on the importance of learning from that wartime generation.
“The courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and the way communities came together in the face of such great challenge, carry a timeless message for us all,” he said, adding: “These are the values which have shaped our country and the Commonwealth.
“As we hear of division, both at home and abroad, they are the values of which we must never lose sight.”
‘In harm’s way to defend others’
In a very up-to-date addition to the message, pictures are shown of the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack, alongside images of the King’s visit to the scene of the Manchester synagogue attack, as he talks about the bravery of unexpected heroes.
“This year, I have heard so many examples of this, both here and abroad,” he said.
“These stories of the triumph of courage over adversity give me hope, from our venerable military veterans to selfless humanitarian workers in this century’s most dangerous conflict zones; to the ways in which individuals and communities display spontaneous bravery, instinctively placing themselves in harm’s way to defend others.
“As I meet people of different faiths, I find it enormously encouraging to hear how much we have in common; a shared longing for peace and a deep respect for all life,” the King said.
“If we can find time in our journey through life to think on these virtues, we can all make the future more hopeful.”
The King also appeared to encourage us all to switch off from our gadgets, saying: “Indeed, as our world seems to spin ever faster, our journeying may pause, to quieten our minds – in T.S. Eliot’s words: ‘At the still point of the turning world’ – and allow our souls to renew.”
‘Digital detox’
Asked about the phrasing, a palace source said the King “has in mind the effect that new technologies can have on society”.
They added: “I think His Majesty hopes that, if nothing else, Christmas might afford a moment when people could experiment with something of a ‘digital detox’ to focus more on our friendships, our families and our faith for those who practise.
“In this way, the King hopes our minds may find greater peace, our souls can renew, and our communities grow stronger.”
Royal correspondent
It’s a rare time of the year when the King can speak without seeking any guidance or advice from the government, which is what makes his annual Christmas message particularly personal and an insight into what really matters to him.
While the King doesn’t mention any specific examples of division in the UK or global conflicts, his message, with its heavy emphasis on community – and we’re told the themes of “kindness, compassion and hope” – appears to be one with a strong social purpose, and hints at his desire to play his part in healing divisions between communities and different countries.
Listening to him, you can’t help but feel there is an underlying nod to the protests we’ve seen in the UK on migration, the St George flag movement, conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan.
The appearance of a choir from Ukraine is the only clear display of a conflict he wants to draw attention to.
The late addition of pictures from the aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack, an example of the importance he puts on being connected to all parts of the Commonwealth and what matters to people right now.
It’s the most outward, rather than inward-looking message – deliberately so we’re told.
There is nothing personal in it. No mentions of his health, and certainly no nods to what has been a very difficult year for the royals.
His message about learning from the past, as we continue to face difficult times, undoubtedly has its own resonance when you consider the headlines around his brother this week and more widely during 2025.
But, as he also encourages us to take a break from our screens, it’s the broader message he conveys and how it relates to us all, that he would rather we focus on as we head into 2026.
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The message featured the usual mixture of footage of members of the Royal Family visiting all four nations and carrying out overseas tours.
Westminster Abbey was seen as a perfect location to reflect the theme of pilgrimage, as pilgrims visit every year to remember the legacy of Edward the Confessor, whose shrine lies at the heart of the abbey, and because of its strong royal connections.
The message is always seen as a deeply personal one from the monarch, as a rare speech delivered by the King without advice from, or consultation with, the government.
