King Charles lauds 'selfless' medics in emotional Christmas speech amid family's health scares

LONDON, ENGLAND: King Charles delivered his annual Christmas speech on Wednesday, December 25, marking a heartfelt reflection on a challenging year for the royal family.

Both he and his daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, were diagnosed with cancer earlier this year in 2024.

King Charles praises medical workers for support amid family illnesses

For the first time in 18 years, the monarch chose to deliver the address outside a royal residence. This year’s address was delivered from Fitzrovia Chapel in London, formerly the chapel of Middlesex Hospital, adding a deeply personal tone to the broadcast.

Speaking from the historic chapel, King Charles expressed gratitude for medical professionals and volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to caring for others.

"I am speaking to you today from the Chapel of the former Middlesex Hospital in London – now itself a vibrant Community space – and thinking especially of the many thousands of professionals and volunteers here in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth who, with their skills and out of the goodness of their heart, care for others - often at some cost to themselves," King Charles said.

Reflecting on his personal health challenges, the King added, "From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who, this year, have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness, and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed," People reported. 

"I am deeply grateful, too, to all those who have offered us their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement," he said.

Prince William calls 2024 a 'brutal' year for royal family

King Charles' Christmas address followed the royal family's traditional walk to church in Sandringham.

The speech concluded a year that Prince William earlier described as particularly "brutal" given his wife Middleton’s and father Charles’ cancer diagnosis.

In November, William reflected on the difficulties faced by the family, saying, "It's been dreadful. It's probably been the hardest year in my life...I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been brutal."

While Middleton completed chemotherapy in September, King Charles’ treatment will extend into the next year as per reports. The monarch used his annual address to acknowledge these challenges while showing appreciation for those who supported the family.

King Charles appeals for unity and peace amid global conflicts

Beyond his reflections on health, King Charles also spoke about the importance of unity and resilience in the face of global unrest.

He highlighted the aftermath of the Southport stabbings and praised communities for coming together to rebuild, saying it involved repairing "not just buildings, but relationships."

The King addressed the impact of wars and violence, particularly in the Middle East, and honored humanitarian efforts to provide relief. "We think of those" for whom conflict poses a daily threat to "lives and livelihoods," he said.

Concluding his address, King Charles called for "peace on Earth" across all faiths and philosophies. "Keeping all these things in mind, I wish you, and all those you love, a most joyful and peaceful Christmas," he concluded.