King delivers Easter message in which he says world still needs 'faith, hope and love'
The King has released an Easter message reflecting on the examples of "great cruelty and great kindness" that "daily come before our eyes" - saying they should remind the world of the importance of the "virtues of faith, hope and love".
Charles wrote: "One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness.
"This paradox of human life runs through the Easter story and in the scenes that daily come before our eyes - at one moment, terrible images of human suffering and, in another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others."
Reflecting on what he believes we could learn from Easter today, he added: "The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world - the whole world - that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death.
"There are three virtues that the world still needs - faith, hope and love.
"And the greatest of these is love. It is with these timeless truths in my mind, and my heart, that I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Easter".
2:06
Charles also spoke of his "profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion" for humanitarian workers he met at Buckingham Palace a few weeks ago.
When he was Prince of Wales, he started to release a message at Easter.
Now as King he has continued that tradition, something which Queen Elizabeth II did not do.
The King is supreme governor of the Church of England, but both as heir and monarch has been dedicated to working with, and celebrating, other faiths.
1:30
Showing his message is not just addressed to a Christian congregation, he said: "The love He (Jesus) showed when He walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need, a deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions, and in the hearts of all who seek the good of others."
Later on Thursday, the King will be joined by the Queen for the annual Maundy service. This time it will be held at Durham Cathedral.
"On Maundy Thursday, Jesus knelt and washed the feet of many of those who would abandon Him," Charles wrote.
"His humble action was a token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief."
At the service, the King will present the Maundy recipients - 76 men and 76 women - with two purses: one red and one white, containing Maundy Money.
This year, the Red Purse contains a £5 coin commemorating The Queen Mother, and a 50p coin which features stories of World War Two.
They are given to recipients in recognition of outstanding Christian service and work in their local communities.
The distribution of alms and the washing of the feet on the Thursday of Holy Week are an ancient tradition.
The Royal Maundy can be traced back in England to the 13th century.
his cancer diagnosis.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
10 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Charles tells veteran to ‘keep drinking whisky' during Lancaster Castle visit
Charles met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last year. After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic.' As he left, he added: 'Keep drinking the whisky.' Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' His son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, said: 'He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.' Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am and was greeted by crowds of well-wishers, some who had been waiting since 5am, waving Union flags. Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting 'Not my king' as he left his vehicle. The group had a yellow banner which said 'Abolish the Monarchy' and held signs saying 'Not my King' and 'Ditch the Duchies'. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' After shaking the King's hand as he left the castle at about 1.30pm, Mrs Hardcastle said he had not changed. Donna Simpson, 59, was in tears after meeting the King as he greeted crowds before leaving. She asked him to pass a message to the Prince of Wales, whom she met in Manchester about eight years ago when her daughter Rachel, now 25, was being treated for cancer. She said: 'We met William just after she had a bone marrow transplant. 'She is a veterinary nurse now. She has beaten the odds and I wanted them to know. 'Charles said thank you and he would let them know. I just can't believe that.' Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015. Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any. She said: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King was also given a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.' Before the King left, he unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit, made by sculptor Alan Ward, who has a studio in the castle.
North Wales Chronicle
11 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Charles tells veteran to ‘keep drinking whisky' during Lancaster Castle visit
Charles met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last year. After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic.' As he left, he added: 'Keep drinking the whisky.' Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' His son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, said: 'He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.' Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am and was greeted by crowds of well-wishers, some who had been waiting since 5am, waving Union flags. Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting 'Not my king' as he left his vehicle. The group had a yellow banner which said 'Abolish the Monarchy' and held signs saying 'Not my King' and 'Ditch the Duchies'. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' After shaking the King's hand as he left the castle at about 1.30pm, Mrs Hardcastle said he had not changed. Donna Simpson, 59, was in tears after meeting the King as he greeted crowds before leaving. She asked him to pass a message to the Prince of Wales, whom she met in Manchester about eight years ago when her daughter Rachel, now 25, was being treated for cancer. She said: 'We met William just after she had a bone marrow transplant. 'She is a veterinary nurse now. She has beaten the odds and I wanted them to know. 'Charles said thank you and he would let them know. I just can't believe that.' Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015. Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any. She said: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King was also given a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.' Before the King left, he unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit, made by sculptor Alan Ward, who has a studio in the castle.
Powys County Times
11 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Charles tells veteran to ‘keep drinking whisky' during Lancaster Castle visit
The King has praised a 101-year-old veteran as 'amazing' and told him to keep drinking whisky during a visit to Lancashire. Charles met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last year. After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic.' As he left, he added: 'Keep drinking the whisky.' Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' His son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, said: 'He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.' Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am and was greeted by crowds of well-wishers, some who had been waiting since 5am, waving Union flags. Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting 'Not my king' as he left his vehicle. The group had a yellow banner which said 'Abolish the Monarchy' and held signs saying 'Not my King' and 'Ditch the Duchies'. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' After shaking the King's hand as he left the castle at about 1.30pm, Mrs Hardcastle said he had not changed. Donna Simpson, 59, was in tears after meeting the King as he greeted crowds before leaving. She asked him to pass a message to the Prince of Wales, whom she met in Manchester about eight years ago when her daughter Rachel, now 25, was being treated for cancer. She said: 'We met William just after she had a bone marrow transplant. 'She is a veterinary nurse now. She has beaten the odds and I wanted them to know. 'Charles said thank you and he would let them know. I just can't believe that.' Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015. Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any. She said: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King was also given a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.' Before the King left, he unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit, made by sculptor Alan Ward, who has a studio in the castle.
