Watch in full: Charles delivers 2023 King’s Speech from Buckingham Palace

The Independent

Watch in full: Charles delivers 2023 King's Speech from Buckingham Palace Source: ITN

Transcript

00:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]

00:10 [MUSIC]

00:20 [MUSIC]

00:45 [MUSIC]

00:55 Many of the festivals of the great religions of the world are celebrated

01:00 with a special meal, a chance for family and

01:04 friends to come together across generations.

01:07 The act of sharing food, adding to conviviality and togetherness.

01:13 For some, faith will be uppermost in their hearts.

01:17 For others, it will be the joy of fellowship and the giving of presents.

01:22 It is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us and

01:28 think also of those whose work of caring for others continues,

01:33 even on this special day.

01:34 This care and compassion we show to others is one of the themes of

01:40 the Christmas story, especially when Mary and

01:44 Joseph were offered shelter in their hour of need by strangers,

01:49 as they waited for Jesus to be born.

01:50 Over this past year, my heart has been warmed by countless examples

01:58 of the imaginative ways in which people are caring for one another.

02:02 Going the extra mile to help those around them,

02:05 simply because they know it is the right thing to do.

02:10 At work and at home, within and across communities.

02:13 My wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of that selfless army

02:20 of people, volunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and

02:26 with such distinction, were able to join us in Westminster Abbey for

02:30 the coronation earlier this year.

02:32 They are an essential backbone of our society.

02:38 Their presence meant so much to us both and

02:42 emphasized the meaning of coronation itself.

02:45 Above all, a call to all of us to serve one another, to love and care for all.

02:53 Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story.

02:59 The birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world,

03:03 showing us by his own example how to love our neighbor as ourselves.

03:08 Throughout the year, my family have witnessed how people of all ages

03:15 are making a difference to their communities.

03:17 This is all the more important at a time of real hardship for

03:22 many when we need to build on existing ways to support

03:27 others less fortunate than ourselves.

03:30 Because out of God's providence, we are blessed with much and

03:35 it is incumbent on us to use this wisely.

03:38 However, service to others is but one way of honoring the whole of creation,

03:46 which after all is a manifestation of the divine.

03:49 This is a belief shared by all religions.

03:55 To care for this creation is a responsibility owned by people of all faiths and of none.

04:01 We care for the earth for the sake of our children's children.

04:07 During my lifetime, I've been so pleased to see a growing awareness of how we must

04:15 protect the earth and our natural world as the one home which we all share.

04:22 I find great inspiration now from the way so many people recognize this,

04:27 as does the Christmas story,

04:29 which tells us that angels brought the message of hope first to shepherds.

04:35 These were people who lived simply amongst others of God's creatures.

04:41 Those close to nature were privileged that night.

04:48 And at a time of increasingly tragic conflict around the world,

04:53 I pray that we can also do all in our power to protect each other.

05:00 The words of Jesus seem more than ever relevant.

05:04 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

05:08 Such values are universal, drawing together our Abrahamic family of religions

05:16 and other belief systems across the Commonwealth and wider world.

05:20 They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours

05:27 and to seek their good as we would our own.

05:30 So on this Christmas Day, my heart and my thanks go to all who are serving one another,

05:40 all who are caring for our common home and all who see and seek the good of others,

05:48 not least the friend we do not yet know.

05:51 In this way, we bring out the best in ourselves.

05:56 I wish you a Christmas of peace on earth and goodwill to all, today and always.

06:07 (Organ playing)

06:12 #

06:14 # While shepherds watched their flocks by night #

06:19 # All seated on the grounds #

06:24 # The angel of the Lord came down #

06:29 # And glory shone around #

06:35 # Fear not, said he, for mighty dread #

06:40 # Had seized their troubled mind #

06:45 # That mighty, tall, great joy I bring #

06:51 # To you and all mankind #

06:56 # To you in David's town this day #

07:02 # Is born of David's life #

07:07 # The Saviour who is Christ the Lord #

07:12 # And this shall be the sign #

07:17 (Laughter)

07:19 # The heavenly bank you there shall find #

07:24 # To you and you display #

07:29 # All meekly wrapped in swathing bands #

07:34 # And in a manger laid #

07:38 # All glory be to God our God #

07:45 # And on earth be peace #

07:50 # Goodwill and hope from heaven to men #

07:55 # In heaven and on earth #

07:59 # Peace #

08:03 (Birds chirping)

08:06 (Birds chirping)

08:09 (Birds chirping)

08:12 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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