Royal family at Sandringham live: Charles sends Christmas message after joining Kate and William at Sandringham

The Archbishop of Canterbury used his Christmas Day sermon to highlight anti-Semitism in the UK and the plight of children caught up in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Referring to the birthplace of Jesus Christ, which is now located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Pastor Justin Welby said: “The sky of Bethlehem is full of fear, not angels and glory.”

He compared the turbulent circumstances of Jesus' birth to the plight of modern-day children in the turbulent region.

King Charles III delivered the 2023 King's Speech with a Christmas message focused on honoring “selfless” community volunteers and urging the public to protect the environment.

His Majesty also referred to conflicts around the world, saying he prayed: “We can… do everything we can to protect each other.”

The live tree seen in today's broadcast will be replanted after the broadcast in a nod to the King's environmental interests.

Below is the full text of the King's Christmas broadcast:

The ceremonial speech – the second of Charles' reign since the death of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022 – was delivered while standing in Buckingham Palace's Central Room, which opens onto the famous balcony overlooking the Mall.

The king also praised the “dedicated army” of volunteers serving communities across the country, describing them as “the essential backbone of our society.” He said that the presence of prominent figures from society among the coronation guests underscored the meaning of the ceremony – “a call for all of us to serve one another.”

The King delivered a powerful message about the environment in his annual Christmas broadcast.

“Service also lies at the heart of the Christmas story – the birth of Jesus who came to serve the whole world, showing us by his example how to love our neighbor as ourselves,” Charles said.

“Throughout the year, my family has witnessed how people of all ages are making a difference in their communities. This is especially important at a time when so many are facing real hardship, when we need to build on existing ways to support others less fortunate than us.

“Because God has blessed us with so much, we must use it wisely.

“However, serving others is only one way to honor the entire creation which, ultimately, is a manifestation of the divine. This is a belief shared by all religions.

“Caring for this creation is a responsibility of people of all faiths and none. We care for the Earth for our children’s children.

“Throughout my lifetime, I have been very happy to see the growing awareness of how to protect the Earth and our natural world as the only home we all share.

“I find great inspiration now in the way so many people recognize this – as does the Christmas story, which tells us that angels first brought the message of hope to shepherds. These were people who simply lived among God’s other creatures. Those close to nature were fortunate in that night.

The king called on people to “protect each other” as he said the world was experiencing a period of increasingly tragic conflict in his annual Christmas broadcast.

“At a time of increasing tragic conflict around the world, I pray that we too can do all we can to protect each other,” Charles said. “Jesus’ words seem more relevant than ever: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’” Charles said.

“Such values ​​are universal, bringing together the family of Abrahamic faiths and other belief systems across the Commonwealth and the wider world. They remind us to imagine ourselves in the shoes of our neighbours, and to seek their good as we seek our own.”

“So, on this Christmas Day, my heart and thanks go out to all who serve one another; all who care for our common home; and all who see and seek the good of others, not least the friend we do not yet know. In this way, we bring out the best in ourselves.

“I wish you a birthday of ‘peace on earth and good will to all’, today and always.”

The King paid tribute to the “dedicated army” of volunteers serving communities across the country, describing them as “the essential backbone of our society”, in his Christmas broadcast.

“Many of the world's major religious holidays are celebrated with a special meal,” Charles said. An opportunity for family and friends to come together across generations; Sharing food adds to familiarity and togetherness.

“For some, faith will be highest in their hearts. For others, it will be the joy of fellowship and gift-giving. It is also a time when we remember those who are no longer with us and we also think of those whose work of caring for others continues, even on this special day.

“This care and compassion we show for others is one of the themes of the Christmas story, especially when Mary and Joseph were given shelter in their hour of need by strangers, while they awaited the birth of Jesus.

“Over the past year, my heart has been warmed by countless examples of innovative ways people care for each other — going the extra mile to help those around them simply because they know it's the right thing to do: at work and at work. At home; within communities. And cross it.

“My wife and I were delighted when hundreds of representatives of this dedicated army of people – volunteers who serve their communities in so many ways and with such distinction – were able to join us at Westminster Abbey for the coronation earlier this year.

“They are the essential backbone of our community. Their presence meant so much to us, and underscored the meaning of the coronation itself: above all, a call for us all to serve one another; to love and care for all.”

Watch live as King Charles III delivers his annual King's Speech on Monday 25 December.

His Majesty the King delivers the second Christmas message of his reign from a room at Buckingham Palace decorated with a live Christmas tree.

The king will soon deliver his Christmas message.

Charles's second ceremonial broadcast will be broadcast at 3pm, and was recorded in the Central Room of Buckingham Palace, which leads onto the royal residence's famous balcony.

The room is decorated with a live Christmas tree, which will be replanted after the broadcast. Natural and sustainable decorations, including hand-crafted wood, dried oranges, glass ornaments, pine cones and paper, hang from its branches.

The King is set to deliver a powerful message about the environment to millions of viewers tuning into the second Christmas broadcast of his reign.

To try to highlight this, he will speak from a room at Buckingham Palace decorated with a live Christmas tree, the first time a live tree has been used as part of his backdrop.