The King has had a remarkable year enduring his weekly cancer treatment while dealing with tough family problems – and royal editor Russell Myers says his Christmas message speaks above it all
The King’s message of peace and reconciliation should be a lesson for the world this year.
Amid attacks on Jewish communities both at home and abroad, and wars raging in Europe and the Middle East, the monarch has used his lifelong role as a convenor of peoples to speak of hope above all.
As 2025 draws to a close, just as the Princess of Wales said during her carol concert broadcast on Christmas Eve “at a time when life can sometimes feel fragmented or uncertain, the Christmas season invites us to remember the power of reaching out to one another, with generosity of heart, understanding and hope.”
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The King has had a remarkable year, enduring his continued weekly treatment for cancer, leading the nation on the commemorations of our greatest generation of war heroes on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and making history with his visit to the Vatican where he prayed with the Pope.
Charles has also had to endure further fallout among his own family, plunging to the depths of his disgraced brother Andrew’s tawdry relationship with a convicted sex offender, leading him to do what his late mother could not and strip him of his royal titles and send him into exile.
His relationship with his estranged son remains ever more fractious, being placed in a difficult position as Prince Harry’s pleas for reconciliation following years of raging against his own family.
Yet, 2025 can end on a personal high. Just as the year started with the Princess of Wales announcing she had entered remission from cancer, the King earlier this month was able to announce that his own treatment schedule will be reduced in the new year.
After nearly two years of uncertainty following his cancer diagnoses in February 2024, hope is on the horizon. Despite all this, it emerged this week that the King has been the hardest working royal of the last 12 months, an incredible accomplishment given what has been at his door. It is a testament to the man who is as keen as ever to fulfil not only his duty but his destiny as King.
Those close to Charles suggest he is relishing what is to come, with further plans to travel around the country and the Commonwealth as he seeks to cement his legacy according to the key principles of his reign – specifically Climate, Community, Culture and Commonwealth.
Following his diagnosis with cancer in February 2024, a “fifth C” was added to his list of working priorities, and he will continue to support those who are dealt a diagnosis and help shine a light on the actions needed for early diagnosis and treatment.
Just as the King has spoken of being inspired by the good actions of others helping their communities across our nation and the world, let us too take inspiration from his message of peace.
