King Charles and royal family, minus Andrew, gather for Christmas as king’s speech highlights unity and diversity

King Charles III and members royal family – minus their disgraced brother, the former Prince Andrew – gathered for Christmas at the king's private estate at Sandringham, where they traditionally spend the holiday. In the King's annual Christmas speech, broadcast across Britain and the Commonwealth, he stressed the importance of unity and diversity.

In the morning, Charles and Queen Camilla, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, their children and extended family members, went to the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, about 100 miles north of London.

Members of the royal family also stopped to greet people in the crowd outside.

Andrey was not present at the festive gathering, BBC News reported after scandal over his connections deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He wasn't present last year or. In October he was stripped of remaining titles and honors, including prince, and is now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Later that day, the King's annual Christmas speech was watched by millions of people in Britain and across the Commonwealth, the grouping of 56 countries with historical ties to Britain.

“When I meet people of different faiths, I am extremely pleased to hear how much we have in common, a common desire for peace and a deep respect for all living things,” Charles said in his address, which was recorded earlier this month at Westminster Abbey.

Amid “division both at home and abroad,” he said, there are “values ​​that we must never lose sight of.”

“Through the great diversity of our communities, we can find the strength to ensure that good triumphs over evil.”

Westminster Abbey, located in the heart of London, has been the site of the coronation of monarchs since William the Conqueror in 1066, as well as the site of numerous royal weddings.

The performance was accompanied by a video featuring members of the royal family, including scenes from the life of the king. historical trip to the Vaticanwhere he prayed with Pope Leo XIV in an attempt to forge closer relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.

The speech is one of the rare occasions when Charles, 77, can express his own views and does not seek government advice. The statements tend to have a strong religious basis, reflect current issues and are sometimes based on the monarch's personal experiences.

The king's speech was followed by a performance by the Ukrainian choir and the London Royal Opera Choir to show support for Ukraine in its war against the Russian invasion.

This was Charles' fourth Christmas speech since then. ascension to the throne after his mother, Queen Elizabeth IIdied September 2022.

The appeal comes just two weeks after Charles made a deeply personal television appearance in which he said “good news” from his doctors meant he could reduce cancer treatment in the new year.

the king was diagnosed with an as yet undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024. Buckingham Palace says his treatment is now entering a “precautionary phase” and his condition will be monitored to ensure his continued recovery.

During last year's Christmas address, Charles paid tribute to care workers across the country and gave special thanks to the doctors and nurses who supported him after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, also received treatment. for cancer last year. In January she said that she was in remission after passing some “hard times” during her recovery. Kate, as she is popularly known, has not shared details about what type of cancer she has.

She and her husband Prince William heir to the throneThey have three children: 12-year-old Prince George of Wales, 10-year-old Princess Charlotte of Wales and 7-year-old Prince Louis of Wales.