King Charles’s former butler Grant Harrold has lifted the lid on the personal beliefs shaping the monarch’s Christmas message, describing the address as one of the most spiritually revealing of his reign.
Speaking on GB News, Mr Harrold explained that the King’s emphasis on faith, compassion and pilgrimage reflected long-held convictions, including a deep respect not only for Christianity but for all religions.
Mr Harrold told The People's Channel: "He has been very open and has spoken a great deal about his health in the past, but going forward I think he wants to move away from that.
"Instead, he appears keen to focus on the job at hand his role as King and the work and engagements that lie ahead.
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"I am sure there will still be health updates when appropriate, and of course it is wonderful news that Catherine, Princess of Wales, is now in remission.
"But I think His Majesty is someone who does not want to keep revisiting personal matters.
"Despite how significant it has been for him, he is very humble and would rather look ahead and concentrate on his duties.
"The inclusion of a Ukrainian choir at the end of the speech was absolutely beautiful.
Grant Harrold commented on the Kings speech
|GB NEWS
"It was a thoughtful nod to Ukraine and to Britain’s ongoing support, as well as to the many Ukrainian refugees now playing an active role in our society.
"The King has been warm and welcoming towards President Zelensky, and this felt like a deliberate but careful gesture.
"Nothing in the speech is done by accident. It allows him to show support without overstepping political boundaries, something people will admire and respect."
King Charles delivered his Christmas Day message, reflecting on faith, unity and reconciliation, while urging compassion and shared values at a time of global division.
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King Charles delivered his address to the nation today
|GB NEWS
In his annual broadcast, aired at 3pm, the King spoke about a recent State Visit to the Vatican with Queen Camilla, the importance of learning from the past, and the shared values he believes unite people of different faiths.
The monarch said the visit had focused on the Jubilee theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, and used the idea of pilgrimage as a central thread of his message.
He described pilgrimage as journeying forward into the future while also looking back to learn from the past.
King Charles linked this theme to commemorations held earlier this year marking the 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day, noting that memories of World War Two are fading as generations pass.
“The end of the Second World War is now remembered by fewer and fewer of us, as the years pass,” he said.“
But the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and the way communities came together in the face of such great challenge, carry a timeless message for us all.”
The King said those values had shaped both the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth and warned against losing sight of them as conflict and division continue both domestically and internationally.
“For instance, it is impossible not to be deeply moved by the ages of the fallen – as the gravestones in our War Cemeteries remind us,” he said, noting that many who died in both World Wars were only 18, 19 or 20 years old.