In first Christmas speech as monarch, King Charles recalls 2020 visit to Bethlehem

King Charles III broadcasts his first Christmas message as monarch in a speech that pays tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and recalls his visit to Bethlehem.

“Some years ago, I was able to fulfill a lifelong wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity,” says Charles of his 2020 visit to Israel and the West Bank. “It meant more to me than I can possibly express, to stand on that spot where as the Bible tells us, the light that has come into the world was born.”

Charles adds that “while Christmas is of course a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief. So whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future.”

The king also says that he wants to “pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations,” adding that our “churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year.”