King Charles offers ‘heartfelt thanks’ for cancer support in Christmas message

In his Christmas speech, King Charles expressed his gratitude to the doctors and nurses who offered him "strength, care, and comfort" throughout his cancer treatment.

He also commended the variety of cultures and the way local communities in the UK stood strong against the summer riots that followed the tragic deaths of three children in Southport.

During a speech at Fritzrovia Chapel in London, which used to be part of the now-demolished Middlesex Hospital, the king expressed his sincere gratitude to the healthcare teams that assisted him and his family during the challenging and uncertain times of their illness.

His comments come as the Princess of Wales slowly resumes her public engagements after finishing her chemotherapy treatment. In September, Kate mentioned that she was doing everything possible to remain cancer-free.

The king's cancer treatment is set to carry on into the new year, nearly a year after it was revealed he was undergoing treatment for the illness. There have been no additional updates regarding the health of Kate or the king.

In his speech, the king expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has shared their supportive and compassionate messages with us.

A significant portion of the king's Christmas address centered on the reaction to the violent events that followed the tragic stabbings of three girls at a dance class in Southport on July 29. He expressed his pride in how communities united in the aftermath of the riots that occurred.

A significant upheaval occurred due to misinformation regarding the supposed identity of the attacker. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the riots, which involved attacks on mosques and hotels accommodating asylum seekers, labeling them as "far-right violence." Meanwhile, the king received daily briefings on the situation concerning the public unrest.

The unrest finally decreased after a number of peaceful counter-protests and quick actions from the police and justice system against the rioters. The king expressed his pride, stating: “During the summer, when faced with anger and chaos in various towns across the United Kingdom, I was truly proud to see communities unite—not to escalate the situation, but to help heal it.”

“To restore not only structures but also connections with one another. Above all, to rebuild trust by engaging in conversation and, through empathy, figuring out the best course of action for everyone involved.”

During the broadcast, a video was displayed showing the king conversing with emergency responders who dealt with the deadly stabbings in Southport.

The riots caused a great deal of concern and led to a forecast from prominent US billionaire Elon Musk on his X platform, claiming that "civil war is unavoidable."

Last week, the King and Queen Camilla visited the town hall in Waltham Forest, located in north-east London, to honor the sense of community demonstrated by the people of Walthamstow. In August, these residents organized one of the largest peaceful counter-protests, taking to the streets to show their solidarity.

In his speech, Charles noted that he observed a similar sense of unity during his trip to the South Pacific for the Commonwealth summit in October. He emphasized that the experience reinforced his belief that the variety of cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and religions brings about strength rather than weakness.

"Throughout the Commonwealth, our bond is strengthened by our openness to hear one another, to gain insights from each other, and to discover the shared aspects of our lives," he stated. "By listening, we come to appreciate our diversity, overcome bias, and create new opportunities."

The king highlighted the severe impacts of turmoil in the Middle East, Central Europe, Africa, and other regions, and expressed appreciation for the humanitarian groups that are working around the clock to provide essential assistance.

The illustration provided by Jesus remains relevant and applicable for everyone, regardless of time or place. It encourages us to step into the lives of those who are in pain, to positively impact their situations, and to instill hope in places filled with hopelessness.

This year's broadcast by Sky News concluded with the Inner Voices, a youth choir based in London, performing the carol "Once in Royal David's City."

The king participated in the customary Christmas Day church service at Sandringham with other members of the royal family, but his brother, Prince Andrew, was not present.

Last week, it was reported that the Duke of York would skip the ceremony due to scrutiny surrounding his connections to an accused Chinese spy. Instead, he was reportedly getting ready to celebrate Christmas Day with his former wife, Sarah, the Duchess of York.

The king and queen attended service at Sandringham church alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales, who brought along their three children: 11-year-old Prince George, nine-year-old Princess Charlotte, and six-year-old Prince Louis. The gathering also included the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.