George VI's grandson, King Charles, will convey his Christmas wishes in a way like no other. Traditionally, every Christmas, the words of the British monarch in his speech are carefully polished and polished by royal advisors and communication specialists. But this year, King Charles seems to have broken with tradition and opted for a more personal approach.
It was revealed that Charles wrote the entire script entirely on his own as the King's first Christmas address, without any staff involvement. As someone who often challenges convention, the new monarch seems determined to spread his festive cheer in his own unique way.
According to royal expert Elim Hadcastle, the king has learned through years of experience that he connects best with people when he speaks freely without pre-written lines. This is a talent he learned later in his life. Hardcastle noted that he has observed Charles in recent years to be more comfortable in public speaking.
In the past, the king would read a dull speech from an autoprompter. Under the guidance of his wife, Camilla, Charles found a way to express himself with authenticity and warmth. And on Christmas Day, when families across the country gather, he seems to want to connect with the people of the country on a personal level through his words.
However, writing a Christmas message on its own is not an easy task. How can one encapsulate the meaning of the festive season in a tense BBC time slot, acknowledging the highs and lows of the past 12 months, and offering comfort and hope for the future?
Christmas messages are a tradition that has been going on for more than sixty years, beginning during the reign of Charles' grandfather, George VI. Since then, each monarch has incorporated their own religious element into their festive addresses, but all have benefited from the help of court advisors to ensure precision and excellent expression.
Therefore, it is not a trivial task for King Charles, contrary to tradition, to complete this task alone. But those who know him say it's completely consistent with his character. Charles was a lifelong intellectual, passionate about literature, history, and art, and never afraid to pick up a pen. Over the decades, he has written numerous books on his views on architecture, the environment, and other causes that are closely related to his heart.
Perhaps the king saw the Christmas message as another opportunity to deliver a thoughtful message with his eloquence and unique way of thinking. Freed from the constraints of pre-agreed lines and slogans, Charles will undoubtedly draw inspiration from his wealth of knowledge and experience to create a holiday greeting with a personal twist.
Doing it alone also allows Charles to choose his own tone of voice and touch on issues that matter to his heart. As a patron of more than 400 charities, it can be expected that this message will recognise the valuable work done by organisations that help vulnerable people during the Christmas season.
Charles has been an advocate of religious tolerance, and he may have wanted to promote unity between different faiths during the holidays. He is also likely to pay tribute to the challenges the royal family has faced over the past year, including the death of Queen Elizabeth and the withdrawal of Prince Harry and Meghan from royal duties.
But while as an intellectual king, one might expect him to address some big issues in his speech, Charles also wanted the speech to bring laughter and joy. He sees humor as a way to connect with people. A palace assistant revealed. Maybe we'll hear some festive jokes or funny things about the king walking in the countryside with his beloved hounds.
Past speeches have been carefully polished to convey a tone of appropriate solemnity and thoughtfulness, but Charles's personal style may have some unexpected humor in it. His warm sense of humour tends to work better in more casual occasions, such as his annual Princely Trust Speech, where spontaneous expression is encouraged.
On Christmas Day, Charles will be sitting in front of the microphone at Windsor Castle and will undoubtedly show his relaxed charm. As always, Camila will be there for his support, and he seems ready to convey kindness in a comfortable and humorous way.
Royal expert**, this message, written by Charles himself, may mark the beginning of a new tradition – where the monarch's words come directly from the heart, unfettered by bureaucracy or propriety. It was a small break with formalism, but it was a great indication of the direction of Charles's rule.
The previous monarch was committed to tradition, and this king was willing to modernize the traditions of the royal family and create a more personal connection with modern Britons. With compassion, erudition, and wit, Charles' Christmas present to the nation could be a vision of a reimagined but progressive monarchy for decades to come.
Whatever he chooses to shape his words, one thing is certain – this Christmas address will be as fresh and heartfelt as mulled wine by the fireplace. We can't wait to hear about the King's blessings this festive season.