King Charles III and other members of the royal family, excluding his disgraced brother, former Prince Andrew, celebrated Christmas at the king’s private Sandringham Estate, a longstanding holiday tradition. In his annual Christmas address, broadcast throughout Britain and the Commonwealth, he emphasized the significance of unity alongside diversity.
On Christmas morning, Charles and Queen Camilla, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, accompanied by their children and relatives, walked to St. Mary Magdalene Church at Sandringham, located about 100 miles north of London.
The royal family also took the time to greet crowds gathered outside the church.
Andrew was notably absent from the holiday gathering, as reported by BBC News, following his scandal involving connections to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was also missing from last year’s celebrations and had lost his titles and honors by October, now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Later that day, millions across the U.K. and Commonwealth watched the king’s Christmas speech. In his address, recorded at Westminster Abbey, he remarked, “As I engage with individuals of various faiths, I am heartened by our shared desire for peace and mutual respect for all life.” He acknowledged the current divisions both domestically and globally, stressing the need to uphold crucial values amidst the challenges.
He highlighted the strength found in the diverse communities, stating, “With our richness in diversity, we can strive to ensure that righteousness prevails over wrongdoing.” The speech was also marked by a performance from a Ukrainian choir and London’s Royal Opera Chorus, demonstrating support for Ukraine amid its ongoing conflict with Russia.
This year’s address marks the fourth Christmas speech delivered by Charles since ascending the throne following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. This speech comes shortly after he shared positive health news, indicating a reduction in cancer treatment as he moves into the new year.
