Britain's King Charles praises communities' response to far-right riots in summer

• After 'anger and lawlessness' in several towns this summer, communities came together to repair, says Charles III
• British monarch also thanks doctors, nurses who helped in cancer treatment of himself, princess of Wales

LONDON

Britain's King Charles III delivered a Christmas message on Wednesday praising community response to far-right riots that took place for several this summer.

In the prerecorded message, Charles also offered his "special heartfelt thanks" to the doctors and nurses who helped with the "uncertainties and anxieties of illness" as they treated him and the princess of Wales for cancer.

"From a personal point of view, I offer special, heartfelt thanks to the selfless doctors and nurses who this year have supported me and other members of my family through the uncertainties and anxieties of illness and have helped provide the strength, care and comfort we have needed," he said.

Charles returned to public-facing duties in April, nearly three months after he was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer.

In March, amid swirling rumors over doctored photos and a lack of public appearances, Kate Middleton, the princess of Wales, announced that she was receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

In September, the 42-year-old princess said in a video that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment.

The king also praised the efforts of those building links between different communities throughout what he called the "anger and lawlessness" of the far-right riots.

"I felt a deep sense of pride here in the United Kingdom when, in response to anger and lawlessness in several towns this summer, communities came together, not to repeat these behaviors, but to repair."

He added: "To repair not just buildings, but relationships. And, most importantly, to repair trust; by listening and through understanding, deciding how to act for the good of all."

The far-right riots had broken out across the UK following a stabbing incident in the city of Southport on July 29.

The violent disorder was fueled by false online claims that the suspect in the fatal stabbing of three children in Southport was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Also touching on his recent visit to the South Pacific to attend the Commonwealth summit, Charles said he was reminded constantly of the strength which institutions, as well as individuals, can draw from one another "and of how diversity of culture, ethnicity and faith provides strength, not weakness."

"Across the Commonwealth, we are held together by a willingness to listen to each other, to learn from one another and to find just how much we have in common," he said, adding that, through listening, "we learn to respect our differences, to defeat prejudice, and to open up new possibilities."

Following the message, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Charles' message of strength in unity "gives us hope for a brighter future."