show is former butler to the show is former butler to king charles grant, harold and royal correspondent at the telegraph india mctaggart. but before all that, here is your latest news headlines . latest news headlines. >> good morning and a merry christmas from the gb newsroom. i'm sam francis. the headlines at 11 pope francis has condemned what he called the futile logic of war, saying that christ's message of peace was being drowned out in the very land where he was born. the pontiff used his christmas eve mass last night to speak out against the ongoing conflict in gaza. he said our hearts are in bethlehem, where the prince of peace has been rejected by the clash of arms. the palestinian minister of tourism said the city is celebrating christmas with sadness and sorrow after all, the festivities there have been cancelled and the pope's message comes after an airstrike on a refugee camp in central gaza killed at least 78 people.

israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has vowed to continue the war after israel endured one of its deadliest nights of the 12 week old war with hamas . 12 week old war with hamas. meanwhile ukraine is celebrating christmas on the 25th of december for the first time. it's a landmark change to the country's traditions . the country's traditions. the russian orthodox church observes christmas on the 7th of january, but this is the first time ukraine has moved away from that tradition. it comes as russia's invasion of ukraine continues . invasion of ukraine continues. kyivs air defences blocked 28 attacks and two missiles overnight . five civilians were overnight. five civilians were killed . christian leaders are killed. christian leaders are using their christmas addresses to highlight what's happening in the middle east. the archbishop of canterbury is expected to use his christmas day sermon to highlight the suffering of children caught up in the israel—hamas war, referring to the birthplace of jesus. he will tell his congregation that the skies of bethlehem are full of fear rather than angels and glory,

fear rather than angels and glory , and the king and queen glory, and the king and queen are marking christmas day with their family in norfolk, along with a church service this morning on their sandringham estate . the royal couple are estate. the royal couple are expected to be joined by the prince and princess of wales and their children. the king's christmas message will be broadcast at 3:00 this afternoon, and you can join us live here on gb news to watch that we're on tv in your car, digital radio and on your smart speaker throughout the rest of the day. for now though, merry christmas and back to cameron walker for our gb news special. a royal year. >> welcome back to a royal year with me , cameron walker. now with me, cameron walker. now i've promised a panel and we've got a stellar panel for you. we have former butler to king charles grant, harold and royal correspondent at the telegraph,

india. mctaggart, welcome to you both. happy christmas. thank you. >> merry christmas, merry christmas. >> so grant, first of all, what has been your highlight of 2023 in the royal calendar .7 in the royal calendar? >> i think the highlight has to be the coronation. but from a personal point of view, when we saw actually leaving the saw them actually leaving the abbey the coronation, abbey after the coronation, i felt really proud of felt really proud and kind of took me them when i was took me back to them when i was with them and thinking , even with them and thinking, even when i for them, you when i worked for them, you wondered it would be like wondered what it would be like that day when you'd see them leave abbey, and actually leave the abbey, and actually witnessing it and seeing it made me really and lucky me feel really proud and lucky to had the time being to have had the time being around them. >> surreal? around them. >> well, surreal? around them. >> well, did surreal? around them. >> well, did actually, yes, >> well, it did actually, yes, it did, because sure it really did, because i'm sure that we've over the that we've all seen over the years been there's been years has been there's been images wearing a crown. images of him wearing a crown. there's been television programmes, actually programmes, but to actually see him wearing the crown or the imperial he left imperial crown, she says he left the was was the abbey. it was was extraordinary. it was very surreal, very surreal. >> about you? surreal, very surreal. >> i about you? surreal, very surreal. >> i similarjt you? surreal, very surreal. >> i similar obviously >> i mean, similar obviously covering the coronation was an immense privilege once a immense privilege. once in a generation . but i think my generation. but i think my actual highlight was to actual real highlight was to interview prince william in singapore . wow. which was singapore. wow. which was obviously very exciting. yes, i

did it on behalf of the sort of press pack that had travelled there to cover his trip, but it was amazing experience and was an amazing experience and i also went on tour with him to new york to and poland as well. so quite a few foreign trips. >> stay with us? but >> do you stay with us? but we've mentioned the coronation of course, the first time in 70 years a hugely historical event. george pierce has the highlights. >> on saturday, 6th may, king charles the third was crowned in a historic ceremony at westminster abbey. first cemented in british tradition in 1066, the event was given a modern twist by the king as the vip guest. list of world leaders and crowned princes were the and crowned princes were for the first joined community first time joined by community heroes difference to heroes who make a difference to people's lives 20 million britons tuned in to their television , and thousands television sets, and thousands more the streets the more lined the streets of the capital new king and capital as their new king and queen for the ceremony. queen prepared for the ceremony. eight passing eight months since the passing of , queen elizabeth eight months since the passing of the , queen elizabeth eight months since the passing of the world , queen elizabeth eight months since the passing of the world witnessedelizabeth eight months since the passing of the world witnessed a zabeth eight months since the passing of the world witnessed a newth ii, the world witnessed a new monarch following her footsteps. after 70 years, the longest reign british history, the reign in british history, the royal as well as tv royal family as well as tv royalty, their seats in the royal family as well as tv royaltyas their seats in the royal family as well as tv royaltyas they1eir seats in the royal family as well as tv royaltyas they eagerly s in the royal family as well as tv royaltyas they eagerly awaited abbey as they eagerly awaited king charles and queen camilla

to in iconic diamond to arrive in the iconic diamond jubilee. coach prince jubilee. state coach prince harry an appearance to harry also made an appearance to support his father after stepping working stepping down as a working royal. flew alone, leaving royal. he flew alone, leaving wife markle and children wife meghan markle and children archie and lilibet home in archie and lilibet at home in california . the duke of sussex california. the duke of sussex donned special robes or donned no special robes or uniform. wore his military uniform. the wore his military medals with pride. the archbishop led the archbishop of canterbury led the religious service as his majesty was people and was presented to the people and swore an oath to govern the united kingdom of great britain and ireland. and northern ireland. he was then handed the sovereign's sceptre cross, rod of sceptre with cross, the rod of eqtu sceptre with cross, the rod of equity mercy, and finally equity and mercy, and finally the important of all, saint the most important of all, saint edward's the prince of edward's crown, the prince of wales , heir throne, wales, heir to the throne, pledged allegiance to the pledged his allegiance to the king kiss on father's king with a kiss on his father's cheek. consort, cheek. king charles's consort, who faithfully who has been faithfully by his side decades, crowned side for decades, was crowned and anointed as britain's new queen. leaving the abbey after the ceremony, king charles and queen robes of queen camilla wore robes of estates the coronation estates as the coronation procession saw the largest number military personnel number of military personnel since winston churchill's funeral. the crowds cheered funeral. as the crowds cheered for their monarch . the for their reigning monarch. the third carolean era had well and truly george pierce gb

truly begun. george pierce gb news joining me now is gb news presenter nigel farage. >> he was sat with me for three four hours on coronation day itself. no six hours, six hours. it was a six hour broadcast. >> wow. i had ten minutes out. yes well, i had ten at 1:00. yes, i left. you were david starkey? yes. no. david and i did six hours with you chopping in and chopping out. from a broadcasting perspective, it was a huge challenge. um, i'm really nervous. really nervous doing anything. i thank goodness i had david with me. you know, whose historical knowledge of everything. the everything. that's edward the second. unparalleled second. he's almost unparalleled . and, um, it was a honour second. he's almost unparalleled . ado. um, it was a honour second. he's almost unparalleled . ado. obviously, a honour second. he's almost unparalleled . ado. obviously, alastair honour to do. obviously, alastair stewart would it. stewart would have done it. he was grand man of was the grand old man of gb news. he'd had news. yeah, he'd had a bad medical diagnosis. this was medical diagnosis. this i was asked at last minute come medical diagnosis. this i was askedont last minute come medical diagnosis. this i was askedo it. last minute come medical diagnosis. this i was askedo it. honoured nute come medical diagnosis. this i was askedo it. honoured to :e come medical diagnosis. this i was askedo it. honoured to do come medical diagnosis. this i was askedo it. honoured to do so.»me medical diagnosis. this i was askedo it. honoured to do so. an and do it. honoured to do so. an extraordinary day, a beautiful day, a day that when i'm 60, nearly. i'd never seen coronation. >> well, it's a it's a historical day historical moment for the country. >> the biggest day a small anti—monarchy demonstration , but anti—monarchy demonstration, but really very, very small. huge

crowds, great love, a very different feeling. i think the weather didn't help very much. >> no. and you mentioned anti—monarchy protests . yeah. of anti—monarchy protests. yeah. of course, a few of them were arrested , one of which is now arrested, one of which is now taking legal action against metropolitan police. wow. i mean, police mean, do you think police are heavy you think it heavy handed or do you think it was to, you know, was necessary to, you know, there a small anti—monarchy there was a small anti—monarchy protest. >> police clamped down on >> the police clamped down on it. whether it. they had no idea whether it would widely to me. it. they had no idea whether it woua widely to me. it. they had no idea whether it woua huge widely to me. it. they had no idea whether it woua huge issue. widely to me. it. they had no idea whether it woua huge issue. itvidely to me. it. they had no idea whether it woua huge issue. it wasy to me. it. they had no idea whether it woua huge issue. it was the me. not a huge issue. it was the culmination, really, of six months, extraordinary months . months, extraordinary months. you know, i mean, the death of the queen was the most extraordinary thing. queen's extraordinary thing. the queen's funeral the most funeral was the most extraordinary global event. yeah.i extraordinary global event. yeah. i was there on the pitch. the gb news pitch by canada gate, uh, watching this incredible military procession . incredible military procession. i mean, something that london had not seen since the death of churchill in 65. the coronation different still very significant. somehow now, to be honest, not quite the same historical import. honest, not quite the same historical import . and i'm not historical import. and i'm not being unfair to charles or camilla, who, to be fair, have

done their best in their first yeah done their best in their first year. not a bad first year, i would say. >> what think was your >> what you think was your single moments of the single standout moments of the whole day? i think the big standout out was the balcony appearance. >> how could it not be? i mean, there is something over the last 100 years of absolute magic about our royal family appearing on that balcony at moments of great national celebration . great national celebration. significance. marriages jubilees, coronations . ones, v—e jubilees, coronations. ones, v—e day, whatever it may be. and i thought , i day, whatever it may be. and i thought, i thought charles and camilla, there they were on the balcony . we had a direct view , balcony. we had a direct view, an unencumbered direct view from where we were. >> i remember wearing their crowns , um, looking very happy crowns, um, looking very happy and i couldn't quite get into my mind. >> he was a very ancient, historic picture , taking place historic picture, taking place in 21st century britain, and somehow it seemed to work.

>> the coronation certainly gave something to celebrate, didn't it? >> it gave us something very unique and very magnificent. and i mean, you know, there are monarchies netherlands monarchies in the netherlands and but they're all and denmark and but they're all you monarchies. you know, bicycling monarchies. i mean, grandeur gone out i mean, the grandeur is gone out of all of and we somehow of all of them. and we somehow kept of that. and the hard kept some of that. and the hard left hate it, but us left hate it, but most of us love it. >> nigel, thank you so much for joining see you soon. merry joining me. see you soon. merry christmas. now christmas. and to you. now earlier month, the earlier this month, the telegraph its list of telegraph released its list of 2023 hardest working royals . now 2023 hardest working royals. now guess who came out on top ? yep, guess who came out on top? yep, that's right, princess anne, the princess royal, as she has done for a number of years now, 457 engagements in 2023 followed closely by his majesty the king, 425, in third place was the duke of edinburgh, 297, followed by the queen 233, now close to the middle or slightly further towards the bottom. the prince and princess of wales, 172 for the prince of wales and 123 for

the prince of wales and 123 for the princess of wales. we're rejoined by my panel now former butler to king charles grant, harold and royal correspondent at the telegraph, india mctaggart , um, india. there's mctaggart, um, india. there's been a lot of criticism of the prince and princess of wales for being quite far down the list, beanng being quite far down the list, bearing in mind they are the next king and queen. >> yes, you're right there has been. but what i will say, and this is something very this is something he made very clear in singapore when we clear to me in singapore when we spoke, their approach is spoke, is that their approach is going be completely different going to be completely different as prince of wales, as princess and prince of wales, they are going focus much they are going to focus much more legacy impact projects. more on legacy impact projects. these are long time passion projects. these are things where they really want to actually make a difference. he actually said to you know, my family said to me, you know, my family have a brilliant have done a brilliant job highlighting different highlighting all these different causes know, causes over the years. you know, they many patronages and they have many patronages and it's brilliant sort of ability it's a brilliant sort of ability of family to go across of the royal family to go across britain and indeed around the world and, and highlight some of the most wonderful charities. >> , hardest working >> yes, hardest working doesn't necessarily number of necessarily mean number of engagements, although for engagements, although i'm for not suggesting that not one minute suggesting that

princess not a hard princess anne is not a hard working royal like she absolutely is. let me make absolutely is. let me just make that clear. um, grant the king and very up there, and queen very much up there, and queen very much up there, and edinburgh taking and the duke of edinburgh taking on duties that perhaps on a lot of duties that perhaps the have done. yeah. >> and even as you know, during the end of the late queen's life, in recent years, she life, uh, in recent years, she was passing things at was passing things on at that point her late point as same with her late husband, philip. and so husband, prince philip. and so they've obviously taken on they've obviously taken these on and embraced it. it's interesting. i mean, these figures quite figures obviously quite important. average person important. the average person will those and decide will look at those and decide who think reading that, who they think reading that, who's say one that's who's did i say the one that's not working hard indy not working as hard and as indy mentioned, as mentioned, it's not quite as simple that. know, these simple as that. you know, these are kind of overall number. simple as that. you know, these ardoesn't nd of overall number. simple as that. you know, these ardoesn't mean overall number. simple as that. you know, these ardoesn't mean what's number. simple as that. you know, these ardoesn't mean what's going er. simple as that. you know, these ardoesn't mean what's going on. it doesn't mean what's going on. also in private there's a lot of things possibly we things they do that possibly we don't as well. things they do that possibly we don't carry as well. things they do that possibly we don't carry a as well. things they do that possibly we don't carry a lot as well. things they do that possibly we don't carry a lot of as well. so they carry a lot of engagements. but prince hasan is quite impressive because i believe she's 73 and, know, quite impressive because i believe almost; and, know, quite impressive because i believe almost double know, quite impressive because i believe almost double princew, almost, almost double prince and prince age. and yet prince of wales's age. and yet obviously, think together, you obviously, i think together, you know, you combine those know, when you combine those kind she's kind of numbers, she's she's doing engagements. but doing a lot of engagements. but she's amazing. mean she's she's amazing. i mean she's quite character quite an amazing character and still has we often see still has time. we often see a locally still doing her

shopping. so she's got time to do all this and still carry on with her own. her own private life as well. >> yes, she lots of >> yes, she has lots of admiration, i think, around the country at the moment. both. thank but thank you very, very much. but next going to next we're going to be discussing of discussing perhaps the rise of protests anti—monarchy protests. remember signs remember those big yellow signs will be debating is the monarchy losing its popularity? stay with

breakfast with eamonn and isabel monday to thursdays from 6:00 till 930.

>> welcome back to a royal year with me, cameron walker . now the with me, cameron walker. now the royal family have had some pretty large scale royal events in the last year, and some believe that it's a bit outdated and particularly in a cost of living crisis. now republican protests appear to have stepped up a gear since the late queen's death . but polls in general show death. but polls in general show that the public continue to support the monarchy. here's madeleine collier with the details . chants of joy disrupted details. chants of joy disrupted by chant s of hatred . by chant s of hatred. >> this year saw plenty of patriotism and adoration . for patriotism and adoration. for the royals, but not within the fanfare. there were those prepared to go the extra mile to share their ambitions for britain . without a monarchy not britain. without a monarchy not making a recent poll from 70 uk suggests support for the monarchy has dipped to just over a half. and whilst tens of

thousands gathered in support of may's coronation anti—monarchy demonstrators took their opportunity to voice their distaste. >> britain's head of state should be elected by the people and, based on merit, not inherited and not without the consent of the public. >> the metropolitan police were criticised for arresting 64 people that day, including the boss of the public, graham smith. the anti—monarchy is now taking legal action. >> well, they said that it was, um, suspicion of being in possession of equipment to lock on, but um , we weren't in on, but um, we weren't in possession of any such equipment and deny everything that and we deny everything that they've said. >> members of republic were also thrown out of buckingham palace after successfully staging the first ever anti monarchy protest inside the building, bright yellow signs were a visible presence at 2023 royal engagements across the country. but engagements were outnumbered

by union flags and royal well—wishers. although king charles stoically continues his duties, his efforts might not be enough to make him everyone's king. madeleine collier gb news so is the british monarchy outdated? >> joining me now to debate this topic is royal historian and broadcaster ralph heydel—mankoo and the chief executive of republic, graham smith. graham, first of all, you mentioned in that there you were arrested on coronation day by a metropolitan police officer, and you are now bringing legal action. where are you up to with that? >> well, we've applied for a judicial review. so that's where we're up to. we don't have an answer on that. and we're waiting hopefully fairly early in year. we'll get an in the new year. we'll get an answer that. and the answer on that. and the expectation is that we'll be successful because i think the case is pretty strong. but we'll have wait see the have to wait and see what the court says. >> and why do feel the >> and why do you feel that the british monarchy should not exist well, exist anymore? well well, i mean, is an institution that mean, it is an institution that falls well short of the

standards we expect of standards that we expect of pubuc standards that we expect of public institutions. >> lot of talk >> there's been a lot of talk about the sort of standards we expect of politicians in recent years. monarchy highly years. the monarchy is highly secretive going too secretive. it's not going too far say it's corrupt in the far to say it's corrupt in the sense of, um, abuse of public office personal gain, not an office for personal gain, not an accusation of criminality. although there have although there are there have been cases such as cash for honours accusations which have been which still raise questions about the conduct of royals. but profoundly, the crown is a central part of our constitution, and our constitution, and our constitution is really not very good. it's centralised a lot of power in the hands of prime minister it leaves us without proper checks and balances, and it leaves us with a head of state not willing act state not willing to act independently government. state not willing to act ind�*rafe,ently government. state not willing to act ind�*rafe, er appears>vernment. state not willing to act ind�* rafe, er appears ivern the it. >> rafe, it appears that the monarchy has a few long terme challenges. >> it does. but we mustn't overestimate this. i mean, let's be republicanism is be clear here. republicanism is the political failure in the biggest political failure in modern history . even at modern british history. even at the monarchy's darkest moment, its republicans have never been able to convince more than a quarter of the nation that it's in interest abolish the

in their interest to abolish the stability of monarchy for an uncertain republic . you know, uncertain republic. you know, the gold standard for all of for all pulses will tell you the gold standard is the ipsos mori annual poll that's been conducted every year for 30 years since 1993. the question they asked should britain become a republic or remain a monarchy? in 1993, it was 69. in october of this year it was 66. ipsos mori has said that is the single most consistent answer they've had to any question in over half a century of polling , and it a century of polling, and it matches the same similar poll taken back in 1969 because the british public are clear. the old adage still applies if it ain't broke, don't fix it. mature nations that are successful don't tamper with their constitutions unless it's really necessary . really necessary. >> well, it is necessary, and it's obviously i it's very obviously necessary. i mean, constitutional mean, we've had constitutional crisis. just about avoided crisis. we've just about avoided under boris johnson. had he chosen not to resign, there would have been almost no way of getting him, the getting rid of him, because the only who can sack is getting rid of him, because the onljmonarch./ho can sack is getting rid of him, because the onljmonarch. and an sack is getting rid of him, because the onljmonarch. and the ;ack is getting rid of him, because the onljmonarch. and the monarchis getting rid of him, because the onljmonarch. and the monarch was the monarch. and the monarch was not anywhere seen. um, our not anywhere to be seen. um, our constitution absolutely in

constitution is absolutely in in dire of being dire straits in terms of being lacking accountability and checks balances in terms of checks and balances in terms of polling. there has been a significant shift. i mean, the ipsos mori poll is one poll which asks a very particular question, lots of other question, but lots of other pollsters showing a very pollsters are showing a very significant drops in support for the monarchy sort 80 the monarchy from sort of 80 plus down to 50 plus. i mean, 52. in a more recent poll. so there is clearly and a lot of interest in just the republican view, there are a lot of academics and pollsters are saying there is a significant drop in support for the monarchy. over monarchy. and we're now over a third of people saying they want to rid of it. to get rid of it. >> graham, what's the you >> graham, what's the if you don't of monarchy, don't if we get rid of monarchy, let's say tomorrow, what is the alternative? >> the alternative >> well, the alternative is very simple. mean, most of our simple. i mean, most of our neighbours do this. it's a parliamentary republic. you know, and the idea that a republic somehow an unknown republic is somehow an unknown quantity nonsense , because quantity is nonsense, because ireland does it very successfully. iceland it successfully. iceland does it very germany, very successfully. germany, finland baltic states, you finland, the baltic states, you know, are very, uh, know, these are very, uh, stable, democratic stable, prosperous, democratic countries which rank far higher than britain does in all of the international indices on things

like equality and fairness. >> well, if i can just come back on that point. yeah. so it's important remember there important to remember that there are constitutional are very few constitutional monarchies in the world, less than and yet make up than 20. and yet they make up the majority of the top 20 nafionsin the majority of the top 20 nations in the world, according to un's human development to the un's human development index, quality index, which marks the quality of . britain, you know, of life. britain, you know, belgium, the netherlands , uh, belgium, the netherlands, uh, japan, sweden , jordan, denmark, japan, sweden, jordan, denmark, canada, australia , new zealand. canada, australia, new zealand. no one would say that. those are backward nations, that they're antiquated , that they're being antiquated, that they're being held monarchies . held back by being monarchies. in fact, are those are the in fact, those are those are the world's most socially progressive . so progressive countries. so they're a hindrance . and they're not a hindrance. and rather than giving up an institution that is recognised around the world that symbolises our thousand year history and our thousand year history and our brilliantly , our constitution so brilliantly, we, you know, we are we the we, you know, we are we are the world's soft power nation world's second soft power nation . in a large of that is . in a large part of that is because our monarchy. to because of our monarchy. to abandon for grey suited abandon that for a grey suited former politician or whoever would president, seems would become a president, seems to to be, you know, to be for to me to be, you know, to be for the birds, because quite frankly , world doesn't , the world doesn't pay attention of attention when the president of germany yeah

germany has a grandchild. yeah >> that is i mean, none of that is the fact is is true. i mean, the fact is that the it's not a majority in the top 20, and we're not in the top stability. top 20 of political stability. >> it's 12 of 20. >> and, you know, there >> and we and, you know, there are just many republics in are just as many republics in the of all of these the top ten of all of these indices there are indices than there are monarchies. reason monarchies. and the reason why some monarchies are some of these monarchies are there, the monarchies have survived because they're stable. they're not stable because they've got a monarchy that doesn't work. and monarchies historically have been catastrophic like catastrophic for countries like italy , spain, greece , uh, italy, spain, greece, uh, cambodia, thailand , you know, cambodia, thailand, you know, they are not a good institution. and the idea that we are going to hang on to this thing where we are worried about whether or not our head of state's grandchild is famous around the world nonsense . world is nonsense. >> sorry. word to you . >> sorry. final word to you. young people in particular in polling, appear to be less favourable the monarchy. favourable towards the monarchy. what the monarchy to what does the monarchy need to do if anything, do to improve that? if anything, if can do that? yeah. if they can do that? yeah. >> are one real long >> so there are one real long tum are two things. tum challenge are two things. firstly, immigration because 10 million this country million people in this country were and they don't were born abroad and they don't have cultural

have the same cultural or emotional connection to the monarchy really monarchy and they don't really have any grounding in the history constitution. and history or the constitution. and also we have an issue also similarly, we have an issue with young people today, with with young people today, since 2016. that's what's remarkable . they have just remarkable. they have just become most radicalised left become the most radicalised left wing demographic we've ever seen , completely out of kilter with those five years than those even five years older than them. it's not just on them. so, and it's not just on them. so, and it's not just on the it's support the monarchy, it's on support for love of for free speech or love of nafion for free speech or love of nation a whole raft of nation and a whole raft of issues. the monarchy needs to issues. so the monarchy needs to really it's really address that. but it's doing work in the doing such good work in the king's the prince of king's work and the prince of wales's work do address wales's work really do address many that are many of the issues that are close to king's heart. close to the king's heart. >> back on >> briefly come back on that. i mean, it's not just young people. the last 12 people. polls over the last 12 months everybody months that show that everybody under a majority under the age of 40, a majority or less than a majority, support the monarchy. not true. or less than a majority, support the mon across not true. or less than a majority, support the mon across the not true. or less than a majority, support the mon across the board true. or less than a majority, support the monacross the board isje. support across the board is falling , and 60% for every group falling, and 60% for every group apart from the young, serious, uh, trouble. and it uh, long terme trouble. and it will. of when, will. it's now a matter of when, not it will lose its majority not if it will lose its majority support country and support across the country and it be abolished. all right. it will be abolished. all right. >> agree to >> so you need to agree to disagree that one. we're not disagree on that one. we're not going to change the constitution today. prince today. but moving on now prince william his homewards

william launched his homewards project this year. it's his attempts to try and demonstrate that homelessness can be ended within five years, making it rare , brief and unrepeated. i'm rare, brief and unrepeated. i'm joined now by former royal butler to king charles the third, grant, harold and royal correspondent at the telegraph, india mactaggart grant come india mactaggart grant just come to you first, prince william. this has been a long time coming. perhaps his mother, diana, got him into diana, really got him into helping those who were homeless and vulnerable. >> i mean, think >> absolutely. i mean, i think a lot of what he does and a lot of his duties and what he's involved in is thanks to her, because obviously i spent a lot of time around his mother. i got involved in some of the projects of time around his mother. i got invowas in some of the projects of time around his mother. i got invowas involved of the projects of time around his mother. i got invowas involved in the projects of time around his mother. i got invowas involved in the there ts she was involved in and there was very age. was a very young age. he's obviously taken heart, obviously taken that to heart, and kind of. and that's it's almost kind of. on legacy by getting on her legacy by getting involved these projects. involved in these projects. >> india, this is >> yeah. and india, this is something william something he, prince william talked about in talked to you about in singapore, didn't it's one talked to you about in sirthose'e, didn't it's one talked to you about in sirthose legacy't it's one talked to you about in sirthose legacy projectss one talked to you about in sirthose legacy projects . one talked to you about in sirthose legacy projects . hee of those legacy projects. he wants to have tangible impacts on. absolutely. >> this is a huge one for him. this is what he described as his life's work , what wants to life's work, what he wants to be, life's work. it's a five

be, his life's work. it's a five year project. it's across six locations the with the aim locations in the uk with the aim of eradicating homelessness . of eradicating homelessness. he's using his convening he's sort of using his convening power , which obviously unique power, which is obviously unique to to bring all to the royal family to bring all these charities and local authorities, etc. together . and authorities, etc. together. and he said, i really want to actually focus on the wraparound services around homelessness. i want to build the homes. i want to focus on the mental health work. focus on work. i want to focus on education and skills. so he actually is really, really passionate about this one. and as says, this is because, as grant says, this is because, you first taken to you know, he was first taken to the by by diana when he the passage by by diana when he was 11 years old. so this is very a continuation of his very much a continuation of his mother's legacy well his mother's legacy as well as his own grant, do you think own now. and grant, do you think king will of king charles will be proud of his son? >> totally. mean, sure we >> totally. i mean, i'm sure we all remember charles when, all remember king charles when, as wales got involved as prince of wales got involved in many projects at the in so many projects and at the time, say that time, people would say that you know, things should know, these things you should be involved a good involved in. is this a good idea? a lot of jokes, idea? there's a lot of jokes, a lot of humour about it. and now people kind of look think, people kind of look and think, well, are you know, you well, what are you know, you will almost of will someday that almost kind of visualise the future and his sons of copying sons very much kind of copying

that. have no doubt he'll that. and i have no doubt he'll be proud him. and be extremely proud of him. and again, prince william again, i'm sure prince william will children will one day want his children to legacy of what to take on his legacy of what he's doing . so it's very he's he's doing. so it's very different, isn't it? as you and you mentioned the royal you mentioned that the royal family involved family if they get involved behind everybody behind something, everybody gets behind something, everybody gets behind something, everybody gets bthink something behind something, everybody gets bthink they're something behind something, everybody gets bthink they're aware something behind something, everybody gets bthink they're aware ofmething behind something, everybody gets bthink they're aware of that ing i think they're aware of that power. and that's an amazing thing use that for, thing that they use that for, for, the good to other for, for the good to help other people, fantastic indeed. >> and perhaps going to be more than shining a spotlight in the long terme. we'll have to wait and see. but couple of and see. but another couple of royals make royals who continue to make headunes royals who continue to make headlines the duke and headlines is the duke and duchess sussex . for the good, duchess of sussex. for the good, for the bad. their polling is not, perhaps brilliant in the united kingdom, but what about the united states? we'll be discussing shortly

that i knew had dewbs& co week nights from six. >> welcome back to a royal year. now, the duke and duchess of sussex continue to make headunes sussex continue to make headlines despite no longer being working members of the royal family . now, prince royal family. now, prince harry's explosive memoir spare was published in january , didn't was published in january, didn't make him particularly popular in the polls, but he has had a victory of sorts in his case against mirror group georgia pierce reports. >> prince harry and meghan markle have continued to dominate the british headlines in the last year , since stepping in the last year, since stepping down as working royals in 2020. in december 2022, harry and meghan released the first of many netflix projects with a fly on the wall documentary about their new life in california. in their new life in california. in the episode series, the

the sixth episode series, the couple spoke about their time as working monarchy, working members of the monarchy, including scathing including their scathing opinions royals. opinions of other royals. despite mixed reviews, the series was a streaming success, breaking multiple netflix record , as the sussexes also produced other projects for netflix and spotify, including heart of invictus, by prince harry invictus, a film by prince harry focusing on his invictus games. in january this year, harry continued to rock the royal rift as released his 416 page tell as he released his 416 page tell all memoir spare. in his own words, the duke of sussex recalled it was like recalled what it was like growing up in royal family, growing up in the royal family, describing as living in his describing it as living in his brother prince william's shadow, and prince of wales and accused the prince of wales of a physical attack. >> grabbed collar, >> he grabbed me by the collar, ripping he ripping my necklace and he knocked the floor. i knocked me to the floor. i landed dog's bowl which landed on the dog's bowl which cracked under my back , the cracked under my back, the pieces cutting into me among many revelations, including his past in the past drug use and work in the military, prince harry branded queen camilla dangerous for forging connections with the british press to british press in order to improve her image. >> palace >> buckingham palace and kensington not kensington palace have not commented the allegations. commented on the allegations. the became a best seller, the book became a best seller, selling over 1.4 million copies. the fastest selling non—fiction

book of time . the fastest selling non—fiction book of time. in the fastest selling non—fiction book of time . in may the fastest selling non—fiction book of time. in may this book of all time. in may this yean book of all time. in may this year, the sussexes revealed they were involved in a near catastrophic car chase after attending an awards ceremony in new york. spokesman the new york. a spokesman for the royal branded the ordeal royal couple branded the ordeal a by highly a relentless pursuit by highly aggressive . but some aggressive paparazzi. but some eyewitnesses disagree . the eyewitnesses disagree. the duchess had delivered duchess of sussex had delivered an speech at the an acceptance speech at the ceremony after collecting an award her spotify podcast , award for her spotify podcast, archetypes. harry is archetypes. prince harry is still several newspaper still dragging several newspaper publishers courts publishers through the courts over unlawful over alleged unlawful information gathering, as well as the government over his security in the uk. this month , security in the uk. this month, harry said was a great day harry said it was a great day for when a ruled he for truth when a judge ruled he was of unlawful was a victim of unlawful information gathering by mirror group , awarding group newspapers, awarding him more than £140,000 in damages to end a turbulent year for the sussexes. omid scobie released his second royal biography , end his second royal biography, end game, in which senior members of the royal family were rocked once by a fresh set of once again by a fresh set of allegations and claims. meghan and harry are yet to disclose any involvement book, any involvement in the book, which received widespread any involvement in the book, which afterived widespread any involvement in the book, which after appearing pread any involvement in the book, which after appearing toad any involvement in the book, which after appearing to name backlash after appearing to name two in connection

two senior royals in connection with an allegation first brought to sussexes in to light by the sussexes in their with oprah their interview with oprah winfrey. there were winfrey. where there were alleged conversations and concerns archie. concerns about their son archie. the . next year is set to see the. next year is set to see more projects in the pipeline for the couple. but will it deliver them stateside success and royal rift with the and will the royal rift with the sussexes georgia sussexes continue? georgia pierce gb news says prince harry had a victory of sorts this month , winning more than month, winning more than £100,000 worth of damages from mirror group newspapers , who a mirror group newspapers, who a judge has ruled did make him a victim of unlawful information gathering. >> in june. grant will prince harry see this. >> in june. grant will prince harry see this . as a bit of harry see this. as a bit of a victory ? victory? >> he will, i think, as you know said all the way along that it's not great. all these legal battles and court cases that keep coming up. and i think historically the queen was only ever involved two legal cases ever involved in two legal cases in her whole reign or her lifetime. and to be lifetime. and it seems to be a kind of regular occurrence at the with with prince the moment with with prince harry duchess sussex. harry and the duchess of sussex. and ideal. and i'm sure

and it's not ideal. and i'm sure of, there's to of, you know, there's going to be possibly. and be other cases, possibly. and they always win, they might not always win, but it i still think it it isn't. i still think it really unfortunate. i don't see anyone winner in these anyone being a winner in these kind situations because kind of situations because i think it's embarrassing for them and family. think it's embarrassing for them ancand family. think it's embarrassing for them ancand prince family. think it's embarrassing for them ancand prince harrynily. think it's embarrassing for them ancand prince harry had some >> and prince harry had some pretty india pretty strong words. india outside his lawyer outside of court via his lawyer david calling the david sherborne, calling on the metropol investigate metropol police to investigate potential criminal charges and on the stock market to reflect what we have seen and sort of tank stocks , so to speak. >> but i think for him he did view it as a victory. >> but i think for him he did view it as a victory . you know, view it as a victory. you know, he said, i feel vindicated. i feel happy with this result. he actually . you know, said that actually. you know, said that he, you know, to slay dragons. he knew he was going to get a bit burnt, but this was, well worth it. um, so i think, you know, from his point of view to, to have found that 15 out of 33 articles were the product of unlawful information gathering by newspapers unlawful information gathering by a newspapers unlawful information gathering by a big newspapers unlawful information gathering by a big okay.:)apers was a big deal. okay. >> india grant, thank you very much thank you. joining much for now. thank you. joining me is the daily express me now is the daily express royal roundup host pandora forsyth of the forsyth to talk the rest of the harry meghan 2023. harry and meghan drama of 2023. pandora welcome. um spare his

memoir for a lot of juicy detail in there, a lot of juicy details tell a massive success for him. >> the fastest non—fiction book of all time in the uk. brilliant. but of course , brilliant. but of course, deaung brilliant. but of course, dealing with the consequences off the back of that. quite a year for him in terms of family relations. >> yeah, absolutely. >> yeah, absolutely. >> because course, accuses >> because of course, he accuses his brother in the memoir of his own brother in the memoir of physically attacking him , physically attacking him, something that kensington palace is not, uh, talk about. >> no. and that does seem to be a theme throughout all the royal revelations this year. they they're keeping very quiet. but on on every single front and not feeding that feeding into the drama that harry bringing to harry and meghan are bringing to the royal family. and i thought this year perhaps it would have been more of a quiet one, but apparently not. this is what's to come in 2024. we don't quite know but what more stories know yet, but what more stories are there really to tell? >> so something which didn't go particularly well for the duke and perhaps from a pr and duchess, perhaps from a pr perspective, is what their perspective, is that what their spokesperson a near

spokesperson described as a near catastrophic chase? but it catastrophic car chase? but it didn't turn out to be that, according to nypd officials, new york police department officials did it. >> no , no. >> no, no. >> no, no. >> and there does seem to be lots of speculation about various claims, which are made in book. and bear in mind, in the book. and bear in mind, as you said, we haven't heard from the royal family on this ehhen from the royal family on this either. so we are very much heanng either. so we are very much hearing one side of the story . either. so we are very much hearing one side of the story. i can imagine, though, for harry, anything related to the car chases would be extremely traumatic for him. if we put ourselves in his shoes. if we can, i can totally appreciate that. but as you said, when people come back and say, ah, hold on a second, this isn't all quite making sense, then you know , how does that look from know, how does that look from harry's perspective of when he keeps on telling these stories and perhaps aren't all quite adding up ? no. adding up? no. >> and i suppose you look at the us, perhaps social media and just the ridicule they had from family guy and south park. those

two sitcoms which have taken the mick out of them a little bit, haven't they? so it's not looking great for 2024. >> and also in terms of their brand, are they trying to be a very brand working with very serious brand working with charities is really trying to sort of the roles front in sort of take the roles front in terms of getting exposure on sort of take the roles front in terms really:ting exposure on sort of take the roles front in terms really important ure on sort of take the roles front in terms really important issues , these really important issues, but then having yourself thrown into the us because into sitcoms in the us because of course they can do that now because working. because they're not working. >> members the royal >> senior members of the royal family, need to family, and they do need to become financially independent and with that will come opinion . and with that will come opinion. and unfortunately, it won't always be positive for the moment. >> thank you so much forjoining us here on gb news. speak again soon. now in january, the princess launched princess of wales launched a project incredibly to her project incredibly close to her heart . her shaping project incredibly close to her heart. her shaping us campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development, and she has an advisory panel with her royal foundation, and i'm pleased to say that a member of that panel is here with me now . ed van is here with me now. ed van kerr, who is the co—founder of reach academy in feltham and on that advisory panel, ed, welcome

to gb news, guys. thank you so much. first of all, just explain to about importance of to me about the importance of early development and early childhood development and why think the princess has why you think the princess has such for it. such a passion for it. >> yeah, what we've learned over the last 20 years is much more about impact of those about the impact of those earliest and the way the earliest years and the way the brain develops and how important those that those initial relationships that children have. so when we talk about having healthy adults, when we talk having when we talk about having healthy what's healthy young people, what's critical to that is having a really positive start in the first few years of life. and i think princess of wales has think the princess of wales has realised through the that realised through the work that she's homelessness , she's done around homelessness, around around mental around drugs, around mental health, quite how important this penod health, quite how important this period of life is. and so it's become a real passion for her. >> been in several >> and you've been in several meetings the princess meetings with the princess of wales what strikes you about wales. what strikes you about her? interested her? is she genuinely interested and difference? >> yeah, completely. obviously she's got own personal she's got her own personal experience bringing up her experience of bringing up her own but the last own children, but over the last five she's really five years, she's really immersed in immersed herself in understanding the research and the detail about about what matters. and how this works

scientifically . but also, she's scientifically. but also, she's built really strong relationships with practitioners and parents all over the country, and she's been able to see at first hand the impact of that kind of that kind of nurturing support that you can provide in communities that make a real difference. >> and what exactly is needed? because, princess because, of course, the princess can't too political, she? because, of course, the princess carwhat too political, she? because, of course, the princess carwhat exactlyitical, she? because, of course, the princess carwhat exactly canl, she? because, of course, the princess carwhat exactly can she she? because, of course, the princess carwhat exactly can she do he? because, of course, the princess carwhat exactly can she do and so what exactly can she do and what impact is going to happen? >> i think one of one of the >> i think one of the one of the opportunities with is opportunities with this is parents. don't always parents. people don't always realise how important this penod realise how important this period of life i think we're period of life is. i think we're very thinking about very focussed on thinking about teaching our children to read, making sure they're numerate, but actually we don't always know as a society what's important in this period. and so the awareness raising that the shaping us campaign has done specifically and then the work of the princess more generally, i think is really important to create in create an understanding in society of the importance of this life , which i this period of life, which i think time could well shift think over time could well shift the way resources are allocated and the way government is thinking as well. thinking about this as well. >> just briefly, what do >> and ed, just briefly, what do you think? there's lots of talk,

of actual action is of course, but actual action is perhaps needed. what action is neededin perhaps needed. what action is needed in the long terme? i think that i think that there's a lot of evidence that investment in in the earliest years has much greater impact than investment later on. >> so we're much better off spending a pound on supporting babies and parents than we are unnecessary on building more prisons. for example . and so prisons. for example. and so overall, i would be encouraging investment to happen earlier in education. we invest more in secondary than we do in primary, more in primary than we do in early years. and ideally we would switch that around. and i think what the opportunity is here build public, here is to build public, understand that, to build understand of that, to build pubuc understand of that, to build public of the public understanding of the importance that over time , importance so that over time, this a political issue. this isn't a political issue. this those things this is one of those things that's important not always that's important and not always urgent. the more urgent. and so the more that people aware the people are aware of the importance of this, the more that can create positive that we can create positive change in communities. we can also then start to influence the way is allocating way government is allocating resources well. resources as well. >> ed guy anker, thank you >> okay. ed guy anker, thank you very a merry christmas >> okay. ed guy anker, thank you ve you. a merry christmas >> okay. ed guy anker, thank you ve you. thank a merry christmas >> okay. ed guy anker, thank you ve you. thank a rcomingristmas

to you. thank you. coming up, prince william has taken america by does he really by storm, but does he really have makings global have the makings of a global statesman? out shortly. statesman? find out shortly. hello >> thank you for being a big part of gb news. >> we'd like to wish you and your loved ones a christmas season full of comfort and joy, as well as a peaceful and prosperous new year from our family to yours, we are proud to be your channel. >> merry christmas , happy >> merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas . christmas, merry christmas. happy christmas, merry christmas, merry christmas, merry christmas here on gb news the people's channel. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> welcome back to a royal year. now post pandemic, the king and queen have embarked on several successful state visits, including kenya, germany and france . and while in france, the france. and while in france, the king became the first british monarch in history to address

the french senate. and i'm delighted to say eric bocquet, a french senator , joins me now. french senator, joins me now. eric welcome to gb news. how significant was it that the king addressed the french senate from the chamber? >> well, it was a great honour for the french senate. king charles the third chose the senate to talk to the members of parliament of the national assembly and the senators, and he chose the senate, which was a great occasion , of course, for great occasion, of course, for all parliamentarians of france to hear that speech. >> and how important is that relationship between france and britain and strengthening it ? britain and strengthening it? and how does the king contribute to that ? to that? >> well, indeed, it was an important moment. seven days, seven years after the brexit, that the british people chose, which i respect. of course, it was essential for the monarch to show that the relationship between france and great britain is still fundamental in the european continent . britain is european continent. britain is not part of the eu again today,

but they are still a neighbour. they are still an important nafion they are still an important nation and it's essential for france and the united kingdom to cooperate on central issues . cooperate on central issues. >> and i believe you had the chance to meet his majesty after his speech in the senate. what was that like? what did he say to you? >> well, it was great opportunity for me as you may know, i used to be an english teacher. i taught english for 30 years, i had to the chance to years, so i had to the chance to shake hands with the monarch, exchange a few words, uh, telling him that i tried in my whole career to teach the queen's english. english which made him smile a little wonderful . wonderful. >> thanks so much, eric. because french senator, thanks for speaking to me. >> okay, bye bye. >> okay, bye bye. >> now, prince william's popularity appears going popularity appears to be going from strength to strength. but not here britain. no he not just here in britain. no he appears very appears to be becoming very popular around the world, particularly america , with particularly in america, with some him as a global some dubbing him as a global statesman. so will he help out the british government in their

quest for soft diplomacy ? quest for soft diplomacy? madeleine collier has more. the last year has been one of great change and even greater challenge. >> 2023 saw the future king's evolution , even on the evolution, even on the international stage, with a calendar full of diplomats engagements, embracing global challenges like climate change and the war in ukraine, many royal watchers have suggested prince william is carving out his own identity as a future modern monarch. he proved a hit in new york for his earthshot prize summit that americans like to have that sense of. >> we could be better, we could be doing more . and he kind of be doing more. and he kind of embodies that. so he was also dubbed the most popular public figure in america, according to a gallup poll, beating figure in america, according to a gallup poll , beating both a gallup poll, beating both president biden and trump. >> show the prince has clearly won over americans of all stripes . stripes. >> and these days, that is, we all know, no small feat . all know, no small feat. >> prince william took the

earthshot prize awards ceremony to singapore in search of solutions to repair our planet. £1 million prizes were given out to five winners from around the world, and he stated hope does remain the light of optimism is burning bright in our earthshot finalists and memorably declared the next ten years the most consequential decade in history. the prince of wales also used his influence to emphasise britain's support for ukraine unannounced , the prince paid a unannounced, the prince paid a visit to poland to speak to british and polish troops stationed just outside the ukrainian border. stationed just outside the ukrainian border . william also ukrainian border. william also visited a shelter and spoke to a number of refugees, using his platform to highlight their plight. his visit to an lgbtq+ restaurant in poland's capital, warsaw, quietly contributed to his strategy of statesmanship to human rights groups have called out what they see as polish

authorities hatred , rhetoric authorities hatred, rhetoric against the community. despite heavy criticism for carrying out far less engagements than a number of working royals in 2023, william chose to focus on fewer causes to create real impact for the future. it's understood prince william and his wife , catherine are also his wife, catherine are also paying his wife, catherine are also paying more overseas visits on behalf of the british government . in the new year. with feet firmly planted on the world stage, his influence as future king could do wonders for brand britain. madeleine collier , gb britain. madeleine collier, gb news join me now is american journalist and royal expert kinsey schofield . kinsey schofield. >> welcome and a merry christmas to you too. thank you so much, cameron. >> i you know nothing i love more than the royals at christmas time. >> so great to talk to you . >> so great to talk to you. >> so great to talk to you. >> absolutely. um, quincy, let's talk prince william and his absolute storm that he created

in new york city, surrounded by royal fans on his trip. >> absolutely right. i mean, how fun is it to see for me, the royal family in the states and with prince william specifically , just an enormous line of people lined up to see him outside of that firehouse cheering , screaming, everyone cheering, screaming, everyone having their own personal stories about why they love him or relate to him and his family. he's a rock star here in the united states. and, you know, there was the joke about him in those . what was it? the waiters those. what was it? the waiters like he had on the when he was in the water and all of the internet, like collectively losing their mind about how handsome he looked in that situation. >> so is this prince william being a global statesman , an being a global statesman, an then a recent gallup poll, as we heard in that beat there, suggests that he is the public figure most likely to unite america. >> but a huge , you know, bit of >> but a huge, you know, bit of information for him isn't that so bizarre that we look to

prince william ? prince william? >> i mean, one of the most likeable characters, especially with how polarising our politics have become. i think it's because he's a calming figure . because he's a calming figure. he's a mature figure. we've seen him handle kind of chaos under pressure, and we like the reaction . um, you know, there's reaction. um, you know, there's been a lot of negative attention on him and his family over the last several years. and to watch the way that he handles it . and the way that he handles it. and it is that never complain , never it is that never complain, never explain. there's a maturity in that. there's a calmness in that . and bizarrely, there's a kind nessin . and bizarrely, there's a kind ness in that. and i think that americans really admire that about him. >> can see we look forward to seeing what he gets up to in 2024. thank you so much for joining me. >> thank you . >> thank you. >> thank you. >> well, as you've heard, it's been a pretty busy 2023 the been a pretty busy 2023 for the royal family. but what on earth does 2024 have in store? i'm rejoined by my panel . a former rejoined by my panel. a former butler to king charles, the third, grant, harold and royal

correspond at the telegraph. india. mctaggart grant. first of all, what on earth is going to happenin all, what on earth is going to happen in 2024? >> i have no idea. >> i have no idea. >> but the way i see it is this year has been a bit of a, i suppose, a kind of honeymoon penod suppose, a kind of honeymoon period for the new king and queen. but as you know, cameron, it will be business as usual. carry year we'll carry on. next year we'll have the have more the same. we'll have more overseas state visits, overseas trips, state visits, uh, official duties overseas trips, state visits, uh, the official duties overseas trips, state visits, uh, the scenesial duties overseas trips, state visits, uh, the scenes events es overseas trips, state visits, uh, the scenes events going behind the scenes events going on. so it'll just be business as usual. the only surprise is if they're suddenly, um, any royal pregnancies or anything like that, doubt , but you that, which i doubt, but you never know. >> this space. uh, india >> watch this space. uh, india grant mentioned a honeymoon penod grant mentioned a honeymoon period being over there for the king and queen. do you think the real test is yet to come? >> i in many ways, maybe >> i think in many ways, maybe because obviously had because obviously we had the build coronation, we build up to the coronation, we had event, and had the monumental event, and next year there's not something to of go around like that to sort of go around like that yet. so i think we're going to see them go to the commonwealth. obviously there are sort of fraying um, probably fraying ties there. um, probably australia or new zealand, canada as . um, so i think he's,

as well. um, so i think he's, he's definitely going to focus on, on being more overseas and sort of flexing his soft diplomacy muscles, it were. diplomacy muscles, as it were. >> certainly keep >> we're certainly a lot to keep an eye grant, india. thanks >> we're certainly a lot to keep an much grant, india. thanks >> we're certainly a lot to keep an much gjoining dia. thanks >> we're certainly a lot to keep an much gjoining me thanks so much forjoining me throughout entire show. throughout this entire show. really appreciate your time. of course so to course, there is so much to get through 2024. you can keep through in 2024. you can keep right up to date here gbh right up to date here on gbh news. i'm cameron walker, gb news correspondent. merry news royal correspondent. merry christmas new year christmas and a happy new year. >> that warm feeling inside from boxt boilers sponsors of weather on gb news . on gb news. >> hello there . i'm greg >> hello there. i'm greg dewhurst and welcome to your christmas day forecast for gb news it is unsettled most of us seeing a grey and damp christmas, but there is some snow across the scottish hills. officially making it a white christmas thanks to this area of low pressure which pulling low pressure which is pulling away. news is for the

away. the good news is for the vast boxing it vast majority on boxing day, it will be drier and brighter, but through the rest of the christmas day it's cloudy. there's outbreaks of rain pushing north east across pushing north and east across the country, falling the country, this falling as snow the higher ground of snow over the higher ground of scotland above around 2 to scotland, above around 2 to 300m, perhaps as much as 5 to 10cm of snow. but for the vast majority of us it will be very mild once more. 1213 degrees across southern counties of england and wales, temperatures making it into double figures further north, two colder for scotland, particularly over the higher ground. and this rain slowly pushes snow slowly slowly pushes and snow slowly pushes into the north sea as we head into the early hours, the rain also clearing the south, allowing skies generally to become a chillier become clearer and a chillier night compared to late. night to come compared to late. but still, temperatures above average in the south down to freezing. some icy stretches possible into boxing possible to take us into boxing day for parts of scotland, but plenty of blue skies, a few showers around, blustery showers across north of across the far north of scotland, but plenty of sunshine as we go through the day, however thicker cloud will approach the south—west, approach from the south—west,

bringing for bringing outbreaks of rain for devon cornwall as we move devon and cornwall as we move through the afternoon. but through into the afternoon. but for a better day to come for many a better day to come and chillier to see you again sooi'i. 500“. >> soon. >> looks like things are heating up . boxt boilers spot answers of up. boxt boilers spot answers of weather on gb news as. >> hello. thank you for being a big part of gb news >> we'd like to wish you and your loved ones a christmas season full of comfort and joy, as well as a peaceful and prosperous new year. >> from our family to yours, we are proud to be your channel. >> merry christmas, happy christmas , merry christmas, christmas, merry christmas, happy christmas, merry christmas , merry christmas, merry christmas here on gb news the people's channel. >> merry christmas . christmas everyone. >> it's that magical time of the year again when so many of us are looking forward to all the joy are looking forward to all the joy and togetherness of tomorrow. but just before then,

i want to take a moment to thank all those who will be sacrificing their christmases this year in the service of others. the people working in our nhs and our police forces, and in our amazing armed forces to remember those facing a difficult time here and in many places around the world. and to reflect on the christian values at the heart of this celebration of christ's birth. because christmas is a time of peace, j'oy christmas is a time of peace, joy, christmas is a time of peace, joy , compassion, a time of hope joy, compassion, a time of hope and a promise of a better world. and today, as we look ahead, let's keep that promise of a brighter future burning into the new year . wherever you brighter future burning into the new year. wherever you are and whatever you are doing for the festivities. i wish you all a very merry christmas and a happy new year . new year. >> as communities across britain gather together for a period of faith and festivities , i want to faith and festivities, i want to wish you all a very merry christmas . throughout the christmas. throughout the christmas. throughout the christmas period, we see the bonds of kinship rekindled as families and friends share in

the joy the hope and the optimism that christmas provides for christians the world over. this is a time to rejoice in the birth of jesus christ, god's son.the birth of jesus christ, god's son. the birth of jesus christ bnngs son. the birth of jesus christ brings light into our world and reminds us that in times of darkness and despair, hope, love, love, and peace are always worth advocating for. charity humility and selflessness takes centre stage in the christmas story, and this season serves as a reminder that these qualities should be a guiding light for all of us. during the holidays, many of you will be serving your community and our country , and i community and our country, and i want to thank our ever dedicated nhs staff working around the clock to keep us healthy

>> this is gb news a very merry christmas from all of us here in the newsroom . the time is 12:00. the newsroom. the time is 12:00. the headlines . pope francis has the headlines. pope francis has described the children that were caughtin described the children that were caught in the conflicts across the globe as the little jesuses of today , as he condemned the of today, as he condemned the ongoing war in gaza. delivering

his annual christmas day address from saint peter's balcony in the vatican, he described the attack on israel by hamas terrorists in october as abominable. but he also said ongoing strikes on gaza by israel were reaping an appalling harvest of innocent people , and harvest of innocent people, and that the world's weapons trade must be investigated. the 87 year old pontiff called for an end to all conflicts and defended the rights of refugees around the world. the pope's message comes after one of the deadliest nights of violence in gaza, with at least 100 people killed by airstrikes . israel's killed by airstrikes. israel's army says it's investigating one of the attacks after it appeared to target innocent civilians. the palestinian red crescent says bombings of major roads is complicating any efforts to help critically wounded people. you crane is celebrating christmas on the 25th of december for the first time. it's a landmark change to the country's traditions . the russian orthodox traditions. the russian orthodox church observes christmas on the 7th of january, but this is the

first time ukraine has moved