In his first Christmas speech, King Charles pays tribute to the “beloved mother”, the late Queen

The King will pay tribute to this “beloved mother”, the late Queen, in his first Christmas message to the nation on Sunday.

“We owe her the deepest gratitude a family can owe its mother: for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example,” he will say.

His first speech on Christmas Day was recorded last week in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, where the Queen's funeral service was held and she was buried next to her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The King is pictured standing during his speech. Although the Queen has recorded her Christmas speech sitting at a desk in recent years, she has also stood in previous decades.

In the background there is a large Christmas tree decorated with ornaments made from sustainable materials such as paper and glass as well as natural products such as pine cones.

After the recording, the tree was placed in Dean's Cloister for visitors to enjoy.

Meanwhile, the King began his Christmas holiday at Sandringham with a donation to a charity that helps people suffering from fuel poverty.

The Royal Standard flies over the Norfolk estate where the King and Queen celebrate Christmas Day with their family members, marking a return to traditional royal festivities.

The Fuel Bank Foundation said financial donations sent to the King in condolence cards following the death of the late Queen, along with an undisclosed donation from Charles III, were passed on to the charity through the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund.

Matthew Cole, Director of the Foundation, said: “We are extremely grateful for the kind and generous donation from His Majesty the King.

“The money will be used to provide warm accommodation for people in need this winter, giving them physical and mental relief from the challenges posed by the energy and cost of living crisis.”

The charity provides emergency assistance to people living in their homes without heat, light or electricity because they cannot afford to top up their prepaid gas or electricity meters.

It will be the first time the royal family has spent Christmas at Sandringham since 2019 and will be a poignant time following the death of the Queen on September 8.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children are expected to attend, alongside the King and his wife, the Princess Royal and her family, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex and their children.

The Duke of York and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, are said to be staying at the estate, but it is not known whether Andrew – whose reputation was ruined by a civil sexual harassment lawsuit that he settled out of court – will make a public appearance.

During the Covid pandemic, the late Queen spent the holidays at Windsor Castle for two years in a row and was separated from her extended family during the lockdown – the first year with the Duke of Edinburgh.