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Saturday, 27 December 2025
Thursday, 25 December 2025
King Carl Gustaf of Sweden's Christmas Speech - English Translation (2025)
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| Photo: Clément Morin/The Royal Court of Sweden |
Notes from Gert's Royals are in Bold.
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Dear Swedes, at home and abroad, and everyone in Sweden!
Now that Christmas is here and the year is coming to an end, many of us gather with family and friends. We light candles in the winter darkness and cherish old traditions. We look back, but we also look forward.
Despite conflicts, wars and terrorist acts in the world, we must hold on to hope for the future.
The resilience and will of the Ukrainian people to defend their country gives us hope that Ukraine's freedom and sovereignty will be respected. At the same time, it is important that we, in Europe, continue to give our full support to Ukraine.
During the year, I have visited, among other things, the Swedish military units in Latvia and the NATO headquarters in Brussels. I have also participated in the 80th anniversary of the UN in New York and in the COP30 climate conference in Brazil.
These meetings have strengthened my conviction that dialogue and cooperation between countries is the only path to stability and security. And that joint efforts are crucial to meeting one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change. As we all know, climate does not respect national borders.
Sweden has good opportunities to contribute and be an example in international cooperation, not least through our commitment to peace, sustainable development and human rights.
Let us hope for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and peaceful development in the Middle East. Even though uncertainty is great and contradictions remain. Wanting peace is a first step. Creating lasting peace requires dialogue and reconciliation.
Hope is also born from new discoveries, and science is making great progress.
Sweden has long cherished research and innovation. One example is the Nobel Prize, which annually recognizes scientific breakthroughs worldwide. These successes are largely made possible by global knowledge exchanges between universities and colleges.
When the Queen and I welcomed the President of Iceland last spring and were in Canada on a state visit last fall, it became clear how our countries are united in their belief in education and research. And the realization that knowledge is the key to human development.
Dear Swedes,
At the beginning of the year, Sweden and Örebro were hit by a terrible act. Eleven people lost their lives and many were injured. This terrible event will be with us for a long time, especially for the survivors, and the relatives and friends of the victims.
[Örebro is a city in Sweden. In February 2025, there was a school shooting there that killed 11 people. This was the deadliest terror attack in Sweden.]
But out of the grief, something grew - a sense of community and a desire to help. All of Sweden rallied behind the police, emergency services, and medical personnel, who worked hard to save lives. People supported each other and showed that humanity is a sustaining force even in difficult times.
That force is everywhere in our country:
In volunteers, who get involved in different organizations. I am thinking, for example, of the Scout Movement, where the guiding principle is that every person can make a difference. That even a small good deed has significance. With courage, consideration and action, we can change a lot.
We also find that humanity in neighbors who help each other.
In teachers who inspire their students daily.
In classmates who support those who feel left out.
In colleagues who extend a helping hand.
In elders who share their life experiences.
And in a hug or a warm word along the way from a good friend.
In those moments, there is the warmth and care that the world needs more of.
Dear Swedes,
The message of Christmas is hope and reconciliation, that darkness never has the last word. For in darkness lies the light.
Right there, in the midst of the difficult, something new can begin to grow. Right there, a candle can be lit.
With those words, I, along with my family, would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026!
Wednesday, 24 December 2025
King Philippe of Belgium's Christmas Eve Speech - English Translation (2025)
Translation by Gert's Royals, based off the German & French Text.
Notes by Gert's Royals in bold.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
We live in a time where we ask many questions about the state of our world. We are worried about the future. That is why I would like to talk to you today about the common good.
The common good belongs to all of us. It enables us to live together in dignity and security, in a healthy and just world.
It must be at the heart of our actions, even if this requires making difficult choices.
This is all the more important because it is regularly pushed into the background or even denied today, in favor of personal interests.
On a global level, safeguarding the common good begins with protecting our planet. The recent climate conference in Belém certainly didn't meet all expectations. However, the international community remains fully committed to climate protection. The efforts of the past ten years are beginning to bear fruit. And another important step has been taken: Tropical rainforests have been recognized as a global common good, crucial for combating climate change and preserving biodiversity. The international community has pledged to take concrete measures to protect these rainforests, such as those in the Congo Basin.
[The "climate conference in Belém" was the UN COP30 in Belém, Brazil.]
[The Congo Basin is the largest rainforst in Africa, and 2nd largest in the world. It is likely specifically mentioned as Congo is a former colony of Belgium.]
After the Second World War, Europe was built on a peace project that brought it prosperity. This peace, our most precious shared asset, is now threatened by brutal power-seeking, particularly in Ukraine. Our country continues to support the Ukrainian people strongly and resolutely. Our position on the issue of Russian assets does not change this in any way. Now is the time for all of us within the European Union to act in solidarity. We must not allow ourselves to be divided. Together, our democracies are far stronger than we might think.
In our country, the federal government has concluded difficult budget negotiations. The measures adopted are intended to help consolidate public finances while preserving our social model and our prosperity. It is understandable that such a complex undertaking, which affects the core of our common good, sparks debates and tensions. There is no magic bullet and no single, easy solution to this issue.
[The Belgian government agreed on a €9.2 billion multi-year budget deal in November to cut its deficit. The country was under pressure from the European Commission, as its deficit and debt were above the EU limits. The deal took months to agree on as it required a coalition of multiple political parties. The deal led to protests as it included higher taxes, welfare adjustments, etc. ]
We must remain vigilant in implementing the announced measures and not lose sight of the original objectives – by ensuring that solidarity continues to benefit those who need it most.
In Brussels over the past few weeks, I've met many people who are dedicated to the common good: neighborhood groups, healthcare workers, police officers, and even public sanitation workers. These are people who take their work to heart, some even in a heroic way. But they also tell me that, given the difficulties they face, they feel discouraged and abandoned.
These difficulties were compounded by the unreasonable length of time it took to form a Brussels government.
[The Brussels-Capital Region government has been unable to form a new regional government for over a year and a half. Since the June 2024 elections, political parties have failed to agree on a coalition. Brussels’ system requires support from both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking parties, but deep political disagreements have blocked any compromise. As a result, the region is still being run by a caretaker government with limited powers.]
As the challenges facing the region become increasingly urgent, I urge the negotiators to finally reach an agreement on a program that serves the common good.
Ladies and Gentleman,
During the holiday season at the end of the year, we celebrate with our loved ones the bonds that connect us. We should be mindful that, in challenging times, concern for the common good strengthens our unity.
My wife, the Queen, and our children join me in wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Back to King Philppe of Belgium's Christmas Speeches - Main Page
Monday, 22 December 2025
2025 Christmas Speeches - Summary
For the 3rd year in a row, we will chart topics mentioned in the 6 European Monarchs' Christmas Speeches. (2024 & 2023 Summary).
What topics do you think will be discussed?
You will be able find each speech along with an English Translation here.
| Topics/ Keywords |
BEL | LUX | SPAIN | NLD | UK | SWE | Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Eve | Christmas Day | ||||||
| Keywords | |||||||
|
Solidarity/ Responsibility |
X | X | X | X | X | 5 | |
|
Peace/ Violence/ Conflict |
X | X | X | X | X | 5 | |
|
Young People/ Children /Students |
X | X | X | X | 4 | ||
| Climate Change | X | X | X | X | 4 | ||
| Uncertainty/ anxiety |
X | X | X | X | X | 4 | |
| Hope | X | X | X | 3 | |||
| Immigrants/ Diversity |
X | X | X | 3 | |||
| Economy | X | X | X | 3 | |||
| Natural Disasters | X | 1 | |||||
| Abdication | Includes photos from Grand Duke Henri of Lux's Abdication | Mentions his accession, but not Father's abdication | 0 | ||||
| Religion | |||||||
| Birth of Jesus | X | X | X | 3 | |||
| Religion's referenced | X | X | 2 | ||||
| "Christmas/ Holiday Season is" | [a time ] we celebrate with our loved ones the bonds that connect us. | an invitation to come together and to live our values. | The Christmas story binds the smallest and the greatest. | about "pilgrimage" and "journey." | The message of Christmas is hope and reconciliation, | ||
| Wars/Conflicts/Terror Attacks | |||||||
| Ukraine | X | X | X | 3 | |||
| Other | WWII | WWII, Images were shown related to Sydney, Australia & Manchester, UK Terror Attacks | School Shooting in Örebro, Sweden | 3 | |||
| General | X | X | 2 | ||||
| Europe | X | 1 | |||||
| Middle East | Middle East & Gaza | 1 | |||||
| International Organizations/ Events | |||||||
| European Union | X | X | 40th Anniv of Joining | 3 | |||
| COP30 | X | X | 2 | ||||
| NATO | X | 1 | |||||
| Jubilee of the Catholic Church | Included a photo of Audience with Pope | X | 1 | ||||
| UN | X | 1 | |||||
| Other | |||||||
| Good Wishes from Royal Family |
Queen & Our children | Together with my wife, our children, and our whole family | as do the Queen and our daughters, Princess Leonor and Princess Sofía. | I, along with my family, | 4 | ||
| Musical Performance before/after speech | Grand Ducal Anthem & National Anthem played by Yanis and Maris Griso | Carol of the Bells sung by The Songs for Ukraine choir | 2 | ||||
| Quoted | His Coronation Speech | TS Elliot | 2 | ||||
| Tie Color | Yellow | Red | Red | Blue | Blue | Red | Red 50% Blue 33% Yellow 17% |
| Length of Official Video | 5.5 Mins | 12.5 Mins | 12.5 Mins | 5.5 Mins | 10 Mins | 8.5 Mins | 9 Mins Average |
Friday, 19 December 2025
Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg - Christmas Eve Speech
Grand Duke Guillaume is expected to follow his father's tradition of giving a speech every Christmas Eve. The speech is usually pre-recorded in Luxembourgish, Luxembourg's National Language, and airs at 7 PM on RTL TV and Radio. (French & German are the Administrative Languages of Luxembourg.)
| Year | Luxembourgish Video |
Luxembourgish Text |
French Text |
English Translation |
Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Video and Texts | RTL | First of Reign | ||
Monday, 8 December 2025
Nobel Prize Schedule, Details. Live Streams (2025)
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| © Nobel Media. Photo: Clément Morin. |
(All times are local - Stockholm & Oslo, both GMT+1)
Norway
Save the Children’s Peace Prize Party (11:30 AM-Noon)- Attending: Crown Princess Mette-Marit & Princess Ingrid-Alexandra
- Attending: King Harald, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, & Princess Ingrid-Alexandra
- ** Link to Live Stream **
- Details on Events.
- Attending: King Harald, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, & Princess Ingrid-Alexandra
- Presentation Speech:
- Laureate wave from Balcony (7 PM)
- No Live Stream (But we get glimpses from Sweden Live Stream)
- Attending: Crown Prince Haakon
- (Nobel Prize Press releases states that Crown Princess Mette-Marit will also be attending, but she is not listed on Norway Palace website.)
Sweden
Nobel Prize Ceremony (4:00 PM - 5:10 PM)- ** Link to Live Stream **
- Chat of Past Attendance
- Opening Address:
- Presentation Speech:
- Physics: Professor Göran Johansson
- Chemistry: Professor Olof Ramström
- Physiology or Medicine: Professor Olle Kämpe
- Literature: Professor Anders Olsson
- Economic Sciences: Professor John Hassler
- Attending: King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Prince Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Madeleine & Chris O'Neil
- Live Stream by SVT
- Pre-Banquet (6 PM)
- Banquet (7 PM)
- Seating Chart
- Menu
- Speeches: (Only one Laureate from each category gives a speech)
- Physics: Michel H. Devoret
- Chemistry:
- Medicine:
- Literature:
- Economics:
- Attending: King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Prince Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Madeleine & Chris O'Neil
- Banquet Afterparty (11 PM +)
Sweden
King's Banquet for the Nobel Laureates at Palace (7:30 PM)- Private Banquet, but we get photos of the Royals arriving
- Attending: King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Crown Prince Victoria, Prince Daniel, Prince Carl Philip, Princess Madeleine & Chris O'Neil
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