It’s a tradition dear to the hearts of the British: every year, the reigning king or queen addresses his subjects to send them his best wishes for the holidays, and look back at the important events that marked the past year. Last year, Charles III’s very first speech was marked by nostalgia, coming just three months after the death of the much missed Elizabeth II. This year, as explained by Daily Express in an article published on Friday, December 22, the occasion will be more joyful. For starters, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, the sovereign, who is preparing to celebrate Christmas with family – or almost –, should pay warm tribute to Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, who recently received the greatest compliments. The couple’s children should also be mentioned.
As he prepares to honor this ancient tradition, popularized by Queen Elizabeth II, the sovereign knows full well how crucial the stakes are. According to Richard Fitzwilliams, King Charles III should send a resolutely message to the nation “positive”, but also “centered on its role as a symbol of sustainability and national unity”. A way of following in the footsteps of his late mother, whose ability to embody these values was unanimously celebrated… In this highly anticipated speech, which will be broadcast at 3 p.m. on Monday, December 25 on television and radiothe sovereign should return to the major events which punctuated 2023, in particular his coronation, but also to speak on the social subjects which worry the British, such as the cost of living and the war in Ukraine and Palestine, and call to do everything possible to defend the environment, a cause dear to his heart for decades.
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A speech without hiccups this year?
Last year, King Charles III’s very first speech caused a scandal, for an unexpected reason : it had been available too early! In fact, the video had been posted on the Internet by Australian media several hours before the official broadcast. The intention was laudable: to allow Australian subjects of the Crown to not have to wait until the middle of the night to benefit. However, this initiative also constituted a breach of the contract signed with Buckingham Palace, which specified that the speech should not be broadcast before 3 p.m. English time! This year, the incident is not expected to happen again. And to avoid any controversy, it is also likely that, like last year, Charles III is careful not to mention Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, but also their children, Archie and Lilibet, in his royal speech. The opposite would be truly surprising…
Article written with the collaboration of 6Medias
Photo credits: Agency / Bestimage