King Charles remembers Queen Elizabeth, first responders in Christmas address

King Charles III on Sunday remembered his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and thanked first responders for their "selfless dedication" in his first Christmas address as ruler of the United Kingdom.

"Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones," Charles said, recalling his mother, who died in September. "We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition."

Charles, 74, said the "essence of our community and the very foundation of our society" can be found in the "selfless dedication of our armed forces and emergency services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe."

A light can be seen in "our health and social care professionals and teachers and indeed all those working in public service whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities," he said.

Charles also acknowledged how many are struggling financially "at this time of great anxiety and hardship." The U.K. has seen inflation over 10% as energy and food prices rise.