On Thursday, December 25, 2015, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales, His Royal Highness The Duke of York, Their Royal Highnesses Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of York, Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex along with their two children Lady Louise Windsor, James, Viscount Severn, Royal Highness The Princess Royal and Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Philips attended Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England.
On December 25, 2015, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands delivered his 2015 Christmas message. The pre-recorded speech was filmed at Villa Eikenhorst in Wassenaar earlier this week.
Below is a rough translation of His Majesty’s speech.
“Christmas gives us a moment of reflection. To get away from the daily flow of events can be more clearly where we believe in ourselves and that we ourselves stand for.
It is also a need, now that Europe is facing one of the biggest challenges of the past few decades. The attacks in Paris are still fresh in our memory. In the regions around us are large groups of people through terror and violence adrift. They search in the Netherlands a safe haven and a chance at a better life.
Many people in the Netherlands are worried about the future and wonder how we can protect our own way of life in a world which we can not close us.
What is particularly close to our heart, our freedom and ability to make our own choices. That freedom is fought so hard and put so many sacrifices!
In May this year my wife and I in Canada. We spoke to a group of Canadian veterans. One of them was the 90-year-old Bud Hannam. In 1945 he fought in the battle for the liberation of Apeldoorn. He told how he then looked back and his words made a big impression on me. He said, “It cost me my youth. But I feel that it was’ t worth afterwards. To see the freedom … and the joy of the people who were liberated. “
Freedom is so essential to the Netherlands, from the very beginning. At King’s Day this year we were in the Court of the Netherlands in Dordrecht, which took place in 1572 the first Free State Congress. There we signed along with other Dutch, the text: “Here the foundation was laid for an independent country. Where you are free to think what you think, believe what you believe and be who you are. “
What we have done with the freedom that has fought so hard over the centuries? Very Good! We have built a democratic state that belongs in many ways the strongest in the world. With a high level of prosperity and amenities. And with millions of citizens who selflessly for others. I spent the past year many of them met and talked. Great what you’re doing!
There is in our country to do much important work to involve everyone. Some feel abandoned and insufficiently heard. But our country – our place in the world – is precious to us. Netherlands is a country to call home.
Yet this did not make us invulnerable to worry and anxiety. About events overtake us and that we can not cope. About achievements that are not obvious.
Of course we want to protect what is dear to us. We do not stop our fear away or deny. But we must also not give the reins of our life and let him dominate our society through. Tranquility and mutual trust are friends of freedom. “Do not be afraid,” the angel in the Christmas night to the shepherds in the field.
When it comes to major challenges to show what we stand together, our democracy and our constitutional state. It is essential that people are the dignity and at peace with one another can continue to differ. Peace is not for the idle. It requires courage to listen to each other and their own ideas to keep critically. This courage is required from all of us, now we must work together to find a way in a turbulent time. The challenge is now to show what we together as liberated country are really worth.
In times like these is again clear how much we share with the countries around us. Belief in freedom. Respect for the life of every human being and for everyone’s right to make their own choices. Solidarity with those who really need our help. Concern for the future of our planet, as this month appeared in Paris, where the European countries united marched.
These values are the heartbeat of our society. They are essential for us as free people and always give us the strength to continue.
Our combined strength farther and connects more than we sometimes think. We do not crawl back into our shell. On the contrary. What fits, is proud of our free and open way of life. Our belief that everyone in our Kingdom on an equal footing should be able to participate. And our law that protects what is defenseless and prevents only be heard the loudest voices.
The complex world in which we live is not as challenges more difficult than that for generations had to face before us. Who listens to veterans and persecuted and the diehards who have built our country after the war with scarce resources again, realizes that.
According to the apostle Paul, freedom is a calling. I have great confidence in the ability of our country – even now – to respond to this call and to remain a community of free people.
I wish all of you – wherever you happen to be and how well are your personal circumstances – a blessed Christmas.”
If you are interested in learning more about the Grand Ducal family of Luxembourg and all their daily activities as well as engagements carried out by the Princely family of Liechtenstein please visit the great site, Luxarazzi, here.
Here is the 2015 BBC documentary entitled, Cue The Queen.
The program takes a look at the history of the Royal Christmas broadcast and how the tradition started by King George V in 1932 has found a place at the heart of Christmas Day.
On December 24, 2015, the Belgian royal court released a video taped Christmas message from His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium. The video was filmed inside the Palais Royal in Brussels.
Below is a rough translation of His Majesty’s speech.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The Christmas holidays and New Year are an opportunity to reaffirm our hope for the future. At the end of the year we are unfortunately marked by the dramatic attacks in Paris and aware of the threats that continue to weigh on us. Beyond the horror that multiplies in various places in Europe and elsewhere, our democracies are facing a triple challenge: to defend, prevent, build. I have full confidence in our ability to carry out this task.
Faced with the threat of terrorism, our authorities have reacted with calm, speed and determination. I wish to pay tribute to all those who are committed and remain more than ever to ensure our safety, prosecute those responsible and prevent further attacks. Recent events have shown how important it is to invest in justice, police, army and intelligence services. I also want to thank you all, and especially the inhabitants of Brussels, for your dignified and responsible behavior during this difficult time.
Ladies and gentlemen,
To defend our society, it is also important not to be intimidated and not divide us. This is what our attackers looking. I am confident that we will remain united, citizens of an open country, where the vast majority of foreign compatriots seized the chances offered to them and share the values of our country. They are the son and daughters of this country. Do not confuse those who abuse their faith with those who practice the universal values of humanity.
Then, it seems important to return to what is the bedrock of our society, what we are absolutely committed: our values and our house rules. This implies that we educate our children to respect the different religions and philosophical convictions. They have in common the desire to give meaning to life, to respect others, to be open to others. Respect for these common rules is zero tolerance in relation to hate speech. It’s fight day after day all forms of stigma and segregation. It is also helping people tempted by fanatical indoctrination to resist.
Finally, I am confident in our ability to build a more harmonious society. I would like for it to speak specifically to you young people, you who have a deep desire to believe in life, believe in yourself and believe in each other. Cultivate this ideal and investing your energy and talents in everything that brings. The harmony of a family, a neighborhood, a town, a region, a country, depends primarily on how we build relationships with each other.
Here is the meaning of life, in projects that recognize a place to another and that allow him to give the best of himself. It is the fanatics who refuse to another the right to think and live differently.
Any project that gives meaning to life is built over time. Build the future, cultivate ties with the generations preceding you. It is in history that we root/respect our values. The fanatics, themselves, want to erase all traces of history.
Finally, I encourage you to engage in dialogue and debate on key issues. Dialogue and debate are at the heart of meeting others as the self-knowledge. Go to the discovery of the other in its culture and its philosophical and religious convictions. Instead of fanaticism, which it refuses any debate.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I know we can overcome the challenges we face today. History has proven that our model is stronger than all fanaticism and all forms of totalitarianism. But we must continue to build together this society more humane and just. The Queen and I and our family wish you a merry Christmas party and a New Year full of joy.
The Royal Correspondent 