Photo: Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty (2)
King Charles IIIset his own tone with his first Christmas speech as sovereign.
For starters, King Charlesrecorded his Christmas remarksin the Quire of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the Queen and his fatherPrince Philipare buried. Explaining the significance of the space at the start of his remarks, Charles said, “I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St. George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, The late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father. I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.”
Regarding the delivery of the five-minute message, James said that the King spoke with a “military air” reminiscent ofPrince Philipand exuded more emotion thanQueen Elizabethcharacteristically did.
Queen Elizabeth’s 2020 Christmas speech.Victoria Jones - WPA Pool/Getty
“But despite the slightly military tone, Charles was also much more sharing with his inner, personal emotions than his mother tended to be,” James told theExpress. “His brows were furrowed for most of it and when he spoke of his ‘beloved mother’ we saw an asymmetric facial expression create a contrast between the two sides of his face.”
“The right side had a reflective and sad eye expression while the left looked steelier, with the mouth slightly hiked up at the side. This suggested ongoing sadness but with a steely determination to continue and move forward,” she added.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Illuminating what was on his mind as monarch, King Charles praised the critical community work of “churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras.” He also acknowledged the “great anxiety and hardship” that people face today, “be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm.”
LikeQueen Elizabethclassically did, King Charles closed his holiday remarks on a positive note.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
King Charles and royal family at Christmas 2022.Samir Hussein/WireImage
“While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief,” he said. “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. Let us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always.”
King Charles' first Christmas speech is now streaming on the royal family’sYouTubechannel.
source: people.com
