King Charles III's 2025 Christmas Message
25 December 2025
Pilgrims of Hope: King Charles's Moving Christmas Address Emphasises Kindness and Community
25 December 2025
King Charles III Delivers Poignant Christmas Message Calling for Reconciliation and Unity
In his fourth Christmas broadcast as monarch, King Charles III delivered a deeply reflective and hopeful message on 25 December 2025, urging the nation and Commonwealth to embrace compassion, reconciliation, and strength drawn from diversity in an increasingly divided world.
Recorded in the historic Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey – surrounded by twinkling Christmas trees from the Princess of Wales's recent carol service and beneath the magnificent medieval vaulted ceiling – the King broke with tradition once again by choosing a location rich in royal and spiritual significance. The chapel, burial place of 15 monarchs including Elizabeth I, perfectly underscored his central theme - pilgrimage.
Watch the Highlights below
Courtesy of the Royal Family Channel @YouTube
Pilgrims of Hope
Opening with a personal reflection on his recent Vatican visit, the King said: “A few weeks ago, the Queen and I were delighted to make a state visit to the Vatican where we prayed with Pope Leo in a historic moment of spiritual unity. Together, we celebrated the Jubilee theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.”
He wove this into the Nativity story, noting: “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... and the shepherds journeyed... In each case, they journeyed with others; and relied on the companionship and kindness of others.”
Marking the 80th anniversary of World War II's end, His Majesty paid tribute to the “courage and sacrifice” of that generation and how communities united in adversity – a “timeless message” for today amid “division, both at home and abroad.”
The King praised the “great diversity of our communities,” saying it gives us “the strength to ensure that right triumphs over wrong.” He highlighted “spontaneous bravery” in response to tragedies like the Bondi Beach attack and Manchester synagogue incident, showing footage of his meetings with survivors and responders.
A Digital detox
In a nod to modern life's frenzy, he quoted T.S. Eliot on finding the “still point of the turning world,” encouraging a moment of calm and perhaps a “digital detox” to focus on family, friends, and faith.
Closing with the Golden Rule – “do to others as we would have them do to us” – the King described it as “a prayer for peace and reconciliation... for our times, and our communities too, as we journey through our lives.”
Quiet optimism
The broadcast ended with Ukrainian carol singers, a subtle show of support amid ongoing conflict.
Millions tuned in at 3pm on GB News, BBC One, ITV, and Sky News, with the message resonating as a call for healing after a turbulent year.
The service will also be available via the Buckingham Palace News archive following transmission.