LONDON – King Charles III has invoked environmental protection and the need for peace around the world in the second Christmas message of his reign – and his first since his official coronation as monarch in May.

In an address to the country and beyond from Buckingham Palace, the 75-year-old ruler said he found “great inspiration” in the “growing awareness of how we must protect the earth and our natural world”.

Standing next to a live Christmas tree – a first for the British monarchy’s annual holiday address – the environmentally conscious royal also said he was praying for peace as conflict rages in the Middle East and elsewhere.

“Caring for this creation is a responsibility of people of all faiths and those of no faith,” Charles said in the recorded royal message, broadcast on British television at 3pm GMT.

The monarch, a long-time environmental activist who spoke at the recent UN climate summit COP28 in Dubai, added: “We care for the earth for the benefit of our children’s children.”

Charles ended his message by acknowledging the “increasingly tragic conflicts around the world” and said he prays “that we can also do everything in our power to protect each other.”

“Jesus’ words seem more relevant than ever: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,'” he added, noting that “such values ​​are universal.”

“They remind us to put ourselves in our neighbors’ shoes and seek their well-being as much as our own.”

SANDRINGHAM MEETING

Charles was officially crowned king at Westminster Abbey on May 6, eight months after he ascended the throne following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

He followed their tried and tested pattern of combining current topics with a Christian framework in the annual Christmas broadcast.

When he first took office last year, he praised Britons’ “warm solidarity” as the country grapples with the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.

Charles delivered this message in the chapel at Windsor Castle, where his late mother had been buried less than four months earlier.

In an apparent nod to his landmark coronation, Charles delivered this year’s address from Buckingham Palace’s Center Room, which opens onto the famous balcony overlooking the Mall, where large crowds gathered to celebrate in May.

Continuing his lifelong commitment to environmental protection, the sparkling living Christmas tree on display was decorated with natural and sustainable decorations, including hand-turned wood, dried oranges, brown glass, pine cones and paper, the palace said.

After the festival season it will be replanted.

The British royals – including Queen Camilla, Charles’ son and heir to the throne Prince William, as well as his wife Catherine and their three children – continued the tradition of gathering on Christmas Day at Sandringham, their private estate in the east of England.

The royal entourage attended a morning church service there before sitting down for lunch.

Charles’ younger son Prince Harry and his American wife Meghan, who acrimoniously quit royal duties and moved to California in 2020, were not present.