The sovereign feels “deeply touched” by their message, and nevertheless wants to be optimistic. How can we give them hope for the future? By committing “to building, to moving forward together towards a fairer, more respectful world.” Philippe invites global authorities and political leaders to take their responsibilities in order to work “for the safeguarding of a world order […] in favor of peace.”
Moving forward together into the future
As usual, the king reminds the Belgians of the importance of working in unison. “The challenges of our time […] can seem overwhelming. But it is up to us to write our future together, by focusing on what unites us and what makes our country strong.” He does not forget to thank the many actors in civil society who have contributed , during this year, to dialogue between communities and social cohesion.
The sovereign also hopes that all of the country's governments, which should all be formed in “the coming year”, will work together so that Belgium, “its institutions, businesses and citizens can look to the future with confidence. “
The royal speech in full
A few weeks ago, first secondary students from the Sancta Maria school in Louvain sent me a letter, accompanied by a poignant video.
Confronted every day with images of children victims of war violence, they express their incomprehension in the face of these tragedies.
Their message contains deep questions. Some are addressed directly to me, as King, and as father.
The approach of these students is both overwhelming and hopeful. They put themselves in the place of other children, who live far from them, in a world where dreams are shattered before they can even hatch.
Their questions touch me deeply. I understand their dismay, their feeling of helplessness.
What can we, what should we, adults, say to them?
Their call places us before our responsibilities. Their empathy must awaken our sometimes sleeping consciences. Let us not remain indifferent to so many violations of international law.
These young people are asking us to give them reasons to hope.
These reasons for hope exist. Always. Hope is not passively waiting for a better future. It is a commitment to building, to moving forward together towards a fairer, more respectful world, where each child is welcomed as the most precious of promises.
A world without wars and suffering is of course illusory. But this should not prevent us from continuing to work on it. For heads of state and political authorities, this implies a constant commitment to safeguarding a world order based on international law, in favor of peace and for the protection of all, starting with the most vulnerable, the children.
Each of us is called to contribute to a more equitable world, where there is not domination by the strongest, but respect for the rights and dignity of each person.
Let's help young people look to the future with confidence. The challenges of our time – geopolitical upheaval, climate change, a fragile economy, the technological revolution – can seem overwhelming. But it is up to us to write our future together, focusing on what unites us and what makes our country strong.
Many actors from civil society are setting an example for us. By working tirelessly for dialogue between communities, social cohesion, health, education and justice.
At the end of this year, the Queen and I would like to thank them and encourage them to continue on this path.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The coming year should finally see all of our governments at work.
We are counting on them so that our country, its institutions, businesses and citizens can look to the future with confidence.
May this Christmas and New Year period be a source of inspiration, renewal and hope for each of us.
With the Queen and all our family, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Review King Philip's previous Christmas speeches
2023: King Philippe's 2023 holiday speech: “Every new generation carries within it strong ideas to build a better future”
2022: Christmas speech 2022: despite the crises, King Philippe wants to “believe in the future”
2021: Christmas speech: King Philippe invites us to “show ourselves worthy of trust” in the face of crises
2020: ANALYSIS | Royal Christmas speech: “Clear support for the health measures taken by the country’s authorities”
2019: ANALYSIS | “Pivotal era”, commitment and “lucid youth”: what to remember from the king's speech
2018: ANALYSIS | Political tensions, Archimedes and responsibilities: what to remember from the king's speech
2017: OPINION | For the king, the solution comes from below: the citizen, beyond the State
2016: The king's three-part humanist speech
2015: The king's speech focused on terrorism: “Do not be intimidated”
2014: Christmas speech by King Philippe: “Let us have a taste for the future”
2013: King Philippe's first Christmas speech: “May Mandela's inner strength be ours too”
