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King Charles has called for reconciliation after a year of deepening division, saying in his Christmas address that people must find strength in the diversity of their communities to ensure right defeats wrong.
The monarch cited the spirit of the second world war generation, which he said came together to take on the challenge that faced them; displaying qualities he said have shaped both the UK and the Commonwealth.
The king said: “The end of the second world war is now remembered by fewer and fewer of us, as the years pass. But 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.
“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 the wake of the Bondi beach shooting and the Manchester synagogue attack, Charles also praised the “spontaneous bravery” of those who put themselves in “harm’s way to defend others”.
The king referenced the impact new technologies can have on wellbeing and community cohesion as the world spins “ever faster”, suggesting the festive period might be a moment to recharge and for those communities to grow stronger.
The annual broadcast is written by the king and is the rare occasion when he does not consult government.
King Charles is said to see his role as helping to build bridges between communities, faith groups and others – seeking to portray himself a part of society, not apart from it.
He praised the qualities 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”.
He added: “Indeed, as our world seems to spin ever faster, our journeying may pause, to quieten our minds – in TS Eliot’s words ‘at the still point of the turning world’ – and allow our souls to renew.
“In this, with the great diversity of our communities, we can find the strength to ensure that right triumphs over wrong,” he said, adding that people “need to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation”.
The broadcast showed Charles at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester, where he visited survivors of the October terror attack and met those who blocked the doors as a knife-wielding assailant tried to get in.
An arch in Sydney, in Australia, with the words Bondi beach was seen in footage followed by hundreds of floral tributes left after two gunmen targeted a Jewish festival, killing 15 people.
The widely acclaimed hero of the massacre, the Syrian-born immigrant Ahmed al-Ahmed, was shot after wrestling a firearm from one of the gunmen.
An aide to the king said: “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.”
The address, recorded on 11 December in Westminster Abbey’s Lady Chapel, made no reference to Charles’s recent “good news” announcement about reducing his cancer treatment, reflecting his wish for his message to mirror society’s experiences during the past 12 months.
There was a strong religious element in the address to the nation and Commonwealth from the king; of which the key theme was pilgrimage, and he emphasised the biblical journeys made by Mary and Joseph, arriving “homeless” in Bethlehem, and the three wise men and shepherds to pay homage to the baby Jesus.
The king said: “Journeying is a constant theme of the Christmas story. The holy family made a journey to Bethlehem and arrived homeless without proper shelter.
“The wise men made a pilgrimage from the east to worship at the cradle of Christ; and the shepherds journeyed from field to town in search of Jesus, the saviour of the world. In each case, they journeyed with others, and relied on the companionship and kindness of others. Through physical and mental challenge, they found an inner strength.”
