The honesty needed in the King’s speech this Christmas

BY STEPHEN KUHRT

As a church leader, last year’s Christmas Day was very different from normal. After the Christmas morning service, rather than relaxing into the normal routine of family, food and festivities, I got into a cab and went to central London to appear for three hours on live television.

GB News had invited me to join a panel, along with a show-business commentator and a political pundit to discuss all things Christmas.

Controversies

It was mainly light-hearted, including discussions of festive pop songs and alternatives to Christmas pudding!

Some serious issues also came up, however, including the controversies over the church’s handling of safeguarding in the wake of Justin Welby’s resignation as Archbishop of Canterbury. We also talked about the importance of reconciliation, prompted by issues within the Royal Family.

But our first task was to watch the King’s speech live and then react to what the monarch had said to the nation.

Honesty

I found much to praise in what King Charles said last Christmas. Alongside the normal commendation of those serving the communities across the country, he spoke with honesty and openness about his personal struggles with cancer and encouraged those facing similar challenges.

When he spoke about his illness, Charles was breaking with the traditional approach of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who avoided such personal disclosures. But hardly anyone considered the King’s openness about his illness to be a mistake. His truthfulness came over as sincere, honest and human. It was therefore powerful and helpful.

This year, however, a greater degree of courage is needed. For his speech to have credibility, King Charles needs to make some response to the issues surrounding his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Power of truth

There will be some who believe, particularly on Christmas Day, that ‘the less said the better’ about the former Prince Andrew. Others will add that, having stripped his brother of his royal titles, the King no longer needs to explain anything.

Both views are mistaken. The King reigns by the consent of his people and owes it to them to be honest about the situation. It could provide a great example of the redeeming power of truth.

Suggestions for the King’s speech this Christmas

King Charles’ advisers will already be drafting sections for this year’s Christmas Day speech. At the start of Advent, I want to suggest that they include these points:

(1) To express a deep concern for the victims and survivors of abuse. The King could make a clear statement that care of the vulnerable is the greatest responsibility of those with power and privilege. He could quote what Jesus says about caring for ‘the least of these’ in Matthew 25.31-46.

(2) An acknowledgement of the repeated failure of key national institutions to protect the vulnerable. The BBC, the Metropolitan Police, the Royal Family and the Church of England (of which he is the Supreme Governor) have all faced scandals relating to their integrity and indifference to abuse on their watch. It has brought shame to our country.

(3) To call for genuine change in how we safeguard the vulnerable in the UK and beyond. To include within this, the need for greater accountability and transparency in all institutions.

(4) To state his continuing commitment to his brother, Andrew. The King is someone who has also made serious relational mistakes and without lessening the gravity of the accusations facing Andrew, he could refer to what Jesus’ says about those without sin throwing the first stone (John 8.7).

Some will see these suggestions as foolhardy, others will say they are unrealistic. But now is the time for leaders to be bold and clear about the revolution in morality and honesty that we need in the public life of our country.

A family

Our royalty is an institution – but critically it is also a family. It is made up of mums, dads, brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles. And like so many of our own families, it has suffered crises, embarrassment and terrible shame in the past year.  The difference is that in the case of the Royal Family, these are all played out in the glare of the public eye.

Most people are intrinsically sympathetic to family challenges. If the King is willing to be honest about the problems and hopeful about the future, he can deliver a powerful and helpful message to our anxious and divided nation this Christmas.