King Charles stresses importance of kindness in Easter message

King Charles has delivered a heartfelt Easter message, speaking for the first time since the Princess of Wales announced that cancer diagnosis. Live now to Nine’s Europe correspondent Jessica Millward in London Morning Jess, the King put an emphasis on service and care for others. Good morning, Jane. He did Maundy. Thursday is a very significant date in the royal calendar, and ideally, the king said he would have loved to have been there in person. That’s something that the monarch has done every year dating back to the 13th century. But because of his cancer diagnosis, he sent Queen Camilla in his place. She has certainly been taking on a bigger responsibility with senior Royals like the King and the Princess of Wales out of action for now. So she attended this Maundy Thursday Easter service at Worcester Cathedral. She handed out Maundy money, which is the tradition, to 75 women and 75 men who have done good deeds in their community. But the king was. There, in spirit, he pre recorded a message that was played to the congregation. He said it was with great sadness that he couldn’t attend himself with the theme of his speech very much about kindness. In this country, we are blessed by all the different services that exist for our welfare. But over and above these organizations and their selfless staff, we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us, especially in a time of need. This is one of only a few times we’ve heard from the monarch since his cancer diagnosis, and the first time we’ve heard from him since the Princess of Wales revealed that she had cancer. The King met with some new ambassadors at Buckingham Palace today, so he’s still very much working. And then on Sunday we’ll see him at Easter Sunday Mass in Windsor. Jane. Thanks, Jeff.