King’s Speech 2023 LIVE — Charles hails key workers as Kate & Prince William join Monarch at Sandringham for Boxing Day
KING Charles delivered his second Christmas address as monarch to the nation yesterday and hailed essential workers.
The King took to our screens to reflect on 2023 and look forward to the upcoming year.
Speaking next to a stunning Christmas tree, he said: “They are an essential backbone of our society.
“Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasised the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.
He added: “Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story – the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves.”
This came as the Royal Family, including Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children, celebrated the holiday at Sandringham.
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Religious tone to Charles’ address
Much like his late mother, King Charles’ Christmas address made sure to recognise the holiday’s Christian roots.
He said: “Because out of God’s providence we are blessed with much, and it is incumbent on us to use this wisely.
“However, service to others is but one way of honouring the whole of Creation which, after all, is a manifestation of the Divine.
“This is a belief shared by all religions. To care for this Creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none. We care for the Earth for the sake of our children’s children.”
Who writes the King’s Speech?
King Charles will, of course, lead the way in writing his Christmas address, but the monarch reportedly seeks advice from those close to him.
While Charles takes great pride in writing his own speeches, Royal expert Jennie Bond explains that he leans on his private secretary, Sir Clive Alderton, and wife Camilla for support.
She said: “Charles is a man who loves to write and loves words.
“He will take great pride in writing his speech and it will be 90% his own work. He will of course run things by the private secretary but he will want to feel like the words are his own.
“Some people felt a bit of a distance with the Queen but Charles speaks with a lot of warmth and wisdom.
“He’ll want people to feel seen and understood.”
Was the King’s Speech live?
The King’s Speech was not live as it was filmed earlier this month.
King Charles signed off his Christmas broadcast with a message of peace and goodwill.
He said: “So on this Christmas Day my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another; all who are caring for our common home; and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know. In this way, we bring out the best in ourselves.
Bidding farewell to Brits, he said: “I wish you a Christmas of ‘peace on Earth and goodwill to all’, today and always.”
Prince Andrew appeared relaxed on Christmas Day
Andrew looked relaxed despite the prospect of New Year scrutiny over his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke threw up his hands as he cracked jokes with fans.
Fergie collected flowers and was the last royal to return to Sandringham.
She also spoke to Sun photographer Arthur Edwards, who has been taking pictures of her since 1985.
Arthur said: “It was lovely to see her back with the Royal Family. She came over and gave me a hug.”
Royal expert hails Sarah Ferguson's return
Royal expert Phil Dampier hailed her return as a “sensational development”.
He said: “Although the late Queen was very fond of Sarah, she would never have allowed her to be given that status having been divorced from Andrew.
“It shows King Charles has a big heart by allowing Andrew to play a major role, as well as bringing his ex-wife.”
Sarah Ferguson joins royals in church on Christmas Day
Sarah Ferguson joined the royals in church on Christmas Day for the first time in 32 years — in a show of seasonal goodwill by King Charles.
The Duchess of York walked with ex-husband Prince Andrew for the traditional service at Sandringham.
King Charles hails essential workers
Hailing the nation’s key workers, King Charles said: “They are an essential backbone of our society.
“Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasised the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.
He added: “Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story – the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves.”
Where does the Royal Family spend Christmas?
It is tradition for the Royal Family to spend Christmas at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
The royals arrive on Christmas Eve in order of seniority.
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told The Sun that it is the “least important” members of the family who arrive first.
King Charles calls for peace and understanding amid global conflicts
Amid wars in Ukraine and Gaza, King Charles called for peace and understanding.
He said: “And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the World, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other.
“The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: ‘do to others as you would have them do to you.’
“Such values are universal, drawing together our Abrahamic family of religions, and other belief systems, across the Commonwealth and wider world.
“They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours, and to seek their good as we would our own.”
Who designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress?
British designer Sarah Burton designed Kate’s iconic dress.
She is the creative director for the label and luxury fashion house of Alexander McQueen.
The dressmaker and designs were kept secret until the day of the wedding, and only when the Duchess stepped out of the car was the designer revealed.
A number of names were in the running, but Sarah Burton emerged as a frontrunner early-on, causing bookmakers William Hill to suspend bets two weeks before the wedding.
‘A time to remember those who are no longer with us’
Speaking yesterday, King Charles said: “It is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us and think also of those whose work of caring for others continues, even on this special day.
“This care and compassion we show to others is one of the themes of the Christmas Story, especially when Mary and Joseph were offered shelter in their hour of need by strangers, as they waited for Jesus to be born.”
King Charles hails climate progress
King Charles spoke of the growing awareness of climate change during his speech yesterday.
He said: “During my lifetime I have been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must protect the Earth and our natural world as the one home which we all share.
“I find great inspiration now from the way so many people recognise this – as does the Christmas Story, which tells us that Angels brought the message of hope first to shepherds.
“These were people who lived simply amongst others of God’s creatures.
“Those close to Nature were privileged that night…”
King Charles hails essential workers
Hailing the nation’s key workers, King Charles said: “They are an essential backbone of our society.
“Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasised the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.
He added: “Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story – the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves.”
When did Queen Elizabeth pass away?
Queen Elizabeth II passed away at the age of 96 years old on September 8, 2022.
Her Majesty's death certificate, released three weeks later, revealed exactly when and how she died.
The late monarch's death certificate gave her cause of death as "old age".
This was also what was listed on her husband Prince Philip's certificate following his passing in April 2021.
The Queen is buried at the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle.
She was laid to rest alongside her "strength and stay" Philip following an emotional state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19, 2022.
Friday marks the first anniversary of Her Majesty's death, with the Royal Family set to mark the occasion privately.
Kate Middleton all smiles as Royals go on Christmas walk
Kate Middleton was all smiles as she joined other senior royals on their annual Christmas morning walk.
The royals greeted dozens of onlookers who had camped out to see the King and his family.
When did King Charles marry Queen Camilla?
King Charles and Queen Camilla's highly-publicised romance began at a party.
They were introduced in 1971 by Charles’ college girlfriend Lucia Santa Cruz and quickly bonded over their love of polo.
They started dating almost straight away and attended a number of polo matches together.
However, when King Charles left for the Royal Navy they split up, and Camilla got engaged to Army officer Andrew Parker Bowles.
Camilla and Andrew tied the knot in 1973, and they had two children together, Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes.
Their love didn’t last and they divorced in 1995, with Camilla going on to marry King Charles in a civil ceremony in 2005.
When did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry move to the USA?
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they would be stepping back from their duties as senior members of the Royal Family back in January 2020.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son Archie spent six weeks in Canada between November 2019 and January 2020.
They left Archie with a nanny to briefly return to the UK to sort a deal for their relinquishing of royal responsibilities, before heading back to Vancouver Island.
Yet, the coronavirus pandemic pushed up their plans to settle, moving to Malibu in Los Angeles in March to avoid the borders between USA and Canada closing for all non-essential travel.
‘Peace on Earth and goodwill to all’
King Charles signed off his Christmas broadcast with a message of peace and goodwill.
He said: “So on this Christmas Day my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another; all who are caring for our common home; and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know. In this way, we bring out the best in ourselves.
Bidding farewell to Brits, he said: “I wish you a Christmas of ‘peace on Earth and goodwill to all’, today and always.”
King Charles calls for peace and understanding amid global conflicts
Amid wars in Ukraine and Gaza, King Charles called for peace and understanding.
He said: “And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the World, I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other.
“The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant: ‘do to others as you would have them do to you.’
“Such values are universal, drawing together our Abrahamic family of religions, and other belief systems, across the Commonwealth and wider world.
“They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours, and to seek their good as we would our own.”
King Charles hails essential workers
Hailing the nation’s key workers, King Charles said: “They are an essential backbone of our society.
“Their presence meant so much to us both and emphasised the meaning of Coronation itself: above all, a call to us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.
He added: “Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story – the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his own example how to love our neighbour as ourselves.”
‘A time to remember those who are no longer with us’
Speaking today, King Charles said: “It is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us and think also of those whose work of caring for others continues, even on this special day.
“This care and compassion we show to others is one of the themes of the Christmas Story, especially when Mary and Joseph were offered shelter in their hour of need by strangers, as they waited for Jesus to be born.”
King Charles talks Christmas dinner as he opens address
King Charles spoke of the importance of festive meals as he opened his Christmas address today.
He said: “Many of the Festivals of the great Religions of the world are celebrated with a special meal.
“A chance for family and friends to come together across generations; the act of sharing food adding to conviviality and togetherness.
“For some, faith will be uppermost in their hearts. For others, it will be the joy of fellowship and the giving of presents.”
An evening at Sandringham
Once Christmas dinner is done, the royals settle down for a buffet and an evening of games.
While enjoying the evening buffet, it’s understood the family will play games.
What games do you think they play?
Was the King’s Speech live?
The King’s Speech is not live, rather it was filmed earlier this month.
King Charles signed off his Christmas broadcast today with a message of peace and goodwill.
He said: “So on this Christmas Day my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another; all who are caring for our common home; and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know. In this way, we bring out the best in ourselves.
Bidding farewell to Brits, he said: “I wish you a Christmas of ‘peace on Earth and goodwill to all’, today and always.”
Kate Middleton all smiles as Royals go on Christmas walk
Kate Middleton was all smiles as she joined other senior royals on their annual Christmas morning walk.
The royals greeted dozens of onlookers who had camped out to see the King and his family.