King Charles breaks tradition with Christmas speech
- - King Charles breaks tradition with Christmas speech
Wendy Naugle, USA TODAYDecember 26, 2025 at 1:47 AM
0
King Charles continues to put his own stamp on his annual Christmas Day message.
Queen Elizabeth often delivered her address from her desk at her Buckingham Palace residence, often with family photographs in view. This year, King Charles recorded his message at the Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey. It's the first time the broadcast has been filmed at the Abbey, which is known for its royal weddings and coronations.
annual Christmas walk at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk. The surprising show of unity comes just over a month since their father Andrew, formerly the Prince of York and now simply Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was stripped of his royal titles due to his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined the royal family for the annual Christmas walk at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk. The surprising show of unity comes just over a month since their father Andrew, formerly the Prince of York and now simply Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was stripped of his royal titles due to his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wOt54nHFUhBsSaZljfVacw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ada7f09c28e9786abf6fd684353a9d26 class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined the royal family for the annual Christmas walk at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk. The surprising show of unity comes just over a month since their father Andrew, formerly the Prince of York and now simply Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was stripped of his royal titles due to his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
">Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined the royal family for the annual Christmas walk at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk. The surprising show of unity comes just over a month since their father Andrew, formerly the Prince of York and now simply Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was stripped of his royal titles due to his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wOt54nHFUhBsSaZljfVacw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ada7f09c28e9786abf6fd684353a9d26 class=caas-img>Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Mia Tindall and Catherine, Princess of Wales leave after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0bRd5ifyuSkqg2ycHVMeug--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMzUx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1b2cf40840227384ed6edc34bc62854c class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Mia Tindall and Catherine, Princess of Wales leave after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
">Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Mia Tindall and Catherine, Princess of Wales leave after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in eastern England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0bRd5ifyuSkqg2ycHVMeug--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xMzUx/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1b2cf40840227384ed6edc34bc62854c class=caas-img>Princess Eugenie of York attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wCkZe1BEkQeUx_H3AdRy.w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a9072fa98cdb2fe44a258978e9a072ab class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Princess Eugenie of York attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk.
">Princess Eugenie of York attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wCkZe1BEkQeUx_H3AdRy.w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a9072fa98cdb2fe44a258978e9a072ab class=caas-img>Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Prince William, Prince George and (front row) Lena Tindall, Princess Charlotte, Mia Tindall, and Catherine, Princess of Wales leave after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JYobG8fT59Z_58TnYkbK6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjQ0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f235ac27322948c3337dde485a8a0c7f class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Prince William, Prince George and (front row) Lena Tindall, Princess Charlotte, Mia Tindall, and Catherine, Princess of Wales leave after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
">Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Prince William, Prince George and (front row) Lena Tindall, Princess Charlotte, Mia Tindall, and Catherine, Princess of Wales leave after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JYobG8fT59Z_58TnYkbK6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjQ0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f235ac27322948c3337dde485a8a0c7f class=caas-img>Prince Louis and Prince George hold chocolate from well-wishers after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7kpN9zatcw53RJRRE70DUA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODM5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9d4768ddc941d8df3780d62490325b2f class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Prince Louis and Prince George hold chocolate from well-wishers after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
">Prince Louis and Prince George hold chocolate from well-wishers after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in England, on Dec. 25, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/7kpN9zatcw53RJRRE70DUA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODM5/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9d4768ddc941d8df3780d62490325b2f class=caas-img>Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/p.cNnSNV3KNvMP0CzJSpgA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b12947111360253980f6d3f113111fc9 class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk.
">Catherine, Princess of Wales, attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/p.cNnSNV3KNvMP0CzJSpgA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b12947111360253980f6d3f113111fc9 class=caas-img>Queen Camilla and King Charles III attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FGUf.cjSMYMH.PLMIHuS.Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8d216f91452c3edd228c0da07e2fe0a4 class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Queen Camilla and King Charles III attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
">Queen Camilla and King Charles III attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FGUf.cjSMYMH.PLMIHuS.Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8d216f91452c3edd228c0da07e2fe0a4 class=caas-img>Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Norfolk.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wkqkpFdOxEw9mZu6n9rZ2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/018afadea2a3adc85b73fcb3290f10cf class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Norfolk.
">Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025, in Norfolk.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wkqkpFdOxEw9mZu6n9rZ2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/018afadea2a3adc85b73fcb3290f10cf class=caas-img>Prince George, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_11T9Cx83fqPwKvQMRKcIA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/fa4345205cf669c945827e8da1f06691 class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Prince George, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
">Prince George, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_11T9Cx83fqPwKvQMRKcIA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/fa4345205cf669c945827e8da1f06691 class=caas-img>Prince George, Prince Louis, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XoMApMsTp5KoCxmU7sLxNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4561c61ef32d0bea8b04d2c33dceb0e6 class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Prince George, Prince Louis, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
">Prince George, Prince Louis, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Princess Charlotte and Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XoMApMsTp5KoCxmU7sLxNQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4561c61ef32d0bea8b04d2c33dceb0e6 class=caas-img>King Charles, Princess Anne, Princess Eugenie, Queen Camilla and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/z1uM7wpW8wieU4F3YFKJRw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6feb527e96426442735f2ac7fb69f7b1 class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
King Charles, Princess Anne, Princess Eugenie, Queen Camilla and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
">King Charles, Princess Anne, Princess Eugenie, Queen Camilla and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/z1uM7wpW8wieU4F3YFKJRw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6feb527e96426442735f2ac7fb69f7b1 class=caas-img>Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dpFjr7RCAaQCBE6D.zk_Ow--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/04a0e9c1dcb775349185bd249c507521 class=caas-img data-headline="Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos" data-caption="
Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
">Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on Dec. 25, 2025.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dpFjr7RCAaQCBE6D.zk_Ow--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/04a0e9c1dcb775349185bd249c507521 class=caas-img>
1 / 12Eugenie and Beatrice join royal Christmas processional – see photos
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie joined the royal family for the annual Christmas walk at Sandringham on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sandringham, Norfolk. The surprising show of unity comes just over a month since their father Andrew, formerly the Prince of York and now simply Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, was stripped of his royal titles due to his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The speech comes at the end of a turbulent year for the family. In November, the king officially stripped his brother Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his titles and honors and has tried to evict him from the Royal Lodge for his associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Charles also has been facing an undisclosed type of cancer, though two weeks ago he said he had received "good news" from his doctors and would be able to reduce his cancer treatment in the new year.
Princess Kate has been going through her own cancer journey and King Charle's relationship with Prince Harry remains delicate. (The monarch saw his son briefly in September – their first meeting in 19 months – but Harry and his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are spending the holidays with their children in Montecito.)
SANDRINGHAM, NORFOLK - DECEMBER 25: Catherine, Princess of Wales attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25, 2025 in Sandringham, Norfolk. (Photo by Jordan Peck/Getty Images)
So it was striking that the speech was steeped with themes of honor and integrity. The king stressed "we need to cherish the values of compassion and reconciliation," and also remembered the "courage and sacrifice" of those who fought in World War II, saying "as we hear of division, both home and abroad, they are values of which we must never lose sight." In times of uncertainty, he added, "resilience in the face of adversity; peace through forgiveness" and "showing respect to one another" are what bring hope.
The address was aired after the royal family made their annual processional to St. Mary Magdalene Church. The Christmas Day walk, which included Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, but not their parents, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and Sarah Ferguson.
According to the Palace, "Each Broadcast carefully reflects current issues and concerns, and shares The Monarch's reflections on what Christmas means to them and their listeners. Over the years, the Christmas Broadcast has acted as a chronicle of global, national and personal events which have affected the Monarch and their audience."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: King Charles breaks tradition with Christmas speech, calls for 'reconciliation'
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