At the beginning of King Charles's Christmas speech this year, viewers may have been surprised when he did not immediately talk about his, or his family's, struggles with illness this year, but instead about the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It was, in fact, several minutes until the speech made reference to how 'all of us go through some form of suffering at some stage in our life, be it mental or physical.'

After that, it was open season on talking about his difficulties, as the king said: '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,' as well as thanking members of the public for 'their own kind words of sympathy and encouragement.'