king's speech 2022 bbc

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

King Charles highlights cost of living crisis in first Christmas broadcast

Monarch pays tribute to the volunteers and charity workers helping those in financial difficulty

King Charles has highlighted the cost of living crisis and the “great anxiety and hardship” of many struggling to “pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm” in his first Christmas broadcast.

In the message, with the nation in the grip of economic woes and against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the king dedicated a major part of his broadcast to those helping to ease the plight of others.

Footage of food banks and meals being distributed to the needy featured prominently as he praised “the wonderfully kind people” who had donated food or their time.

Delivered from the quire of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, where the late Queen Elizabeth II had also broadcast her Christmas message in 1999, the monarch paid tribute to his mother, and recognised others who had lost loved ones.

Addressing those of all faiths and none, he said religious communities were among those helping others in financial difficulties. He also praised the volunteers, charity workers, healthcare workers and others who had stepped up to help in times of adversity.

On his central theme of “selfless dedication” he said, it could be seen “in our armed forces and emergency services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe.

“We see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers and indeed all those working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities.

“And at this time of great anxiety and hardship – be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm – we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others.

“I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all – their time – to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organisations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances.”

Of his own Anglican faith, he shared the profound impact on him of visiting the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem some years ago, the place Christians celebrate as the birthplace of Jesus. “It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, ‘The light that has come into the world’ was born.”

The pre-recorded message began with him reflecting on standing “so close to where my beloved mother is laid to rest with my dear father” in the George VI Memorial Chapel as he thanked the public for the “love and sympathy” expressed in cards and messages of condolence.

Of his personal loss, he said: “Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.” He shared the late Queen’s “faith in people” , and the religious belief of the “power of light overcoming darkness”, he said.

The broadcast included footage of the armed forces and emergency services at work. It also showed the core of the royal family as it now is. The Prince and Princess of Wales were shown on a visit to Swansea. Other members of the royal family were shown at various events, including the Earl and Countess of Wessex. But there were no images or references to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Charles hosted Christmas Day at Sandringham with members of the royal family making their traditional Christmas Day walk to St Mary Magdalene church on the Norfolk estate.

The king and the queen consort led members of the royal family as they walked to St Mary Magdalene church, Sandringham, for a first Christmas Day service since the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The Duke of York walked with them as a family member, though he no longer has any public role and is no longer a working royal.

For the first time, the Prince and Princess of Wales brought their youngest son, Louis, four, who joined his siblings George, nine, and Charlotte, seven. Other royals who walked into the church past a small group of members of the public, included Andrew’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

• King Charles III

Most viewed

King's Speech in full: Historic moment for Charles as he delivers speech to nation

King Charles III delivered his first Christmas speech on BBC to the nation today, as the solemn and reflective message address universal themes and tributed Queen Elizabeth II

• 15:10, 25 Dec 2022
• Updated 15:12, 25 Dec 2022

King Charles III delivered his inaugural Christmas speech to the nation today.

It is the first time that the monarch has ever delivered a televised speech on television, as he looked back on the current year and reinstated national values.

At 3pm on Sunday, December 25 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer millions took to their screens to watch the solemn and reflective speech.

The speech was a tribute to his late mother and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who passed in September this year.

In her final Christmas message, the late Queen spoke of "passing the baton" to the next generation.

The eight-minute message, which was pre-recorded on 13 December at St George's Chapel in Windsor , shed light on the "power of light overcoming darkness".

The pre-recorded message began with Charles reflecting on how he was standing "so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father" in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, and he thanked the public for the "love and sympathy" following her passing.

The monarch also alluded to the turbulent time in the UK, as he spoke of "community and the very foundation of our society" - including the Covid aftermath, politics, the Ukraine war and the ongoing cost of living crisis .

Charles spoke about the "great anxiety and hardship" experienced by many trying to "pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm" during his televised message, which featured footage of a foodbank and other scenes of meals being distributed to the homeless.

The King also took to speak about his own faith and that of others, urging all to unify and "celebrate it together".

Here is King's Christmas broadcast speech in full:

"I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father.

"I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.

"Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones.

"We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.

"In the much-loved carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem we sing of how 'in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light'.

"My mother's belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart.

"It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them.

"This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society.

"We see it in the selfless dedication of our Armed Forces and Emergency Services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed so magnificently as we mourned the passing of our late Queen.

"We see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers and indeed all those working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities.

"And at this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others.

"I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organizations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances.

"Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year.

"Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self.

"The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit.

"Some years ago, I was able to fulfil a life-long wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.

"There, I went down into the Chapel of the Manger and stood in silent reverence by the Silver Star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of our Lord Jesus Christ's birth.

"It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, 'The light that has come into the world' was born.

"While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.

"So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future.

"Let us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always.

"With all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light."

MORE ON Princess Diana Jesus of Nazareth Royal Family Public services King Charles III Christmas Christmas TV Queen’s Speech

Get email updates with the day's biggest stories.

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

King’s Speech: King Charles pays tribute to ‘beloved’ Queen in first Christmas address

‘i cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family,’ king told the nation, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter

Thanks for signing up to the lifestyle edit email.

King Charles III has paid tribute to his late mother Queen Elizabeth II in his first King’s Speech.

On Christmas Day, the monarch opened his inaugural festive address as king, which marks the first time a King’s Speech has ever been televised, with a moving tribute to the Queen.

Stood in front of the festive scenes at St George’s Chapel in Windsor, Charles began: “I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father.

“I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.”

He continued: “Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition.

• Princess Charlotte has ‘adorable’ response to Paddington reading at Westminster Abbey service
• The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: Viewers turned into ‘blubbering wrecks’ by BBC animation
• Prince George’s ‘impressive’ Christmas painting shared by Prince and Princess of Wales

“In the much-loved carol “O Little Town Of Bethlehem”, we sing of how ‘In thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.’ My mother’s belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart.”

Charles then praised the armed forces and emergency services for “working tirelessly”, in particular during the nationwide mourning period.

He alluded to the cost-of-living crisis and the way that everyone has the “extraordinary” power to “shine a light in the world around them”.

“At this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others,” Charles said.

“With all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light,” he concluded the message.

You can read the full speech here .

Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September after more than 70 years on the British throne. The late monarch’s committal service was held at the place of worship. She was laid to rest in the George VI Memorial Chapel, within St George’s, with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh.

In his first broadcast as King screened the day after her death on 8 September, Charles spoke with emotion about his mother.

“We owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example,” he told the nation.

• Beauty advent calendars 2021: Our guide to this year’s top treats
• 13 best tech gifts to spoil a gadget geek this Christmas
• 10 best luxury Christmas crackers for dressing up your dining table

This year’s King’s Speech was pre-recorded by the King on 13 December.

This Christmas, the royal family spent their Christmas Day at Sandringham, with the Prince and Princess of Wales sharing a piece of Prince George’s festive artwork on social media .

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

How to watch the King's Speech 2022 this Christmas

Here's where you can watch the King's Speech

Planning to watch the King's Speech this Christmas? Here's where you'll find it. 

King Charles III will continue a longstanding tradition as the new head of state by delivering his first festive address in 2022, a speech that will be historic for a number of reasons. 

It will be the first Christmas address from a male monarch since King George VI's final radio message in 1951. It will also be the first Christmas Speech from a male British monarch to be broadcast on TV, as the first fully-televised broadcast was held in 1957, during Queen Elizabeth II's reign. 

If you're planning to watch the King's Speech this Christmas, here's where you need to go to tune in. 

How to watch the King's Speech 2022 in the UK

Since the late 1990s, the BBC and ITV have shared broadcasting responsibilities for the monarch's speech, with Sky joining the lineup in 2011. This year, the King's Speech will be televised on BBC One.

King Charles' speech is scheduled for 3 pm, the same time the late Queen Elizabeth II's speeches were typically broadcast. 

This means that you'll be able to tune in either on TV or stream Charles' speech via BBC iPlayer , as long as you have a valid TV licence. And if you're trying to decide what to watch this Christmas, don't forget to check our Christmas TV Guide for all the best shows to catch throughout the festive season.

Get the What to Watch Newsletter

The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more!

How to watch the King's Speech anywhere in the world

If you're going to be away from home but still want to watch the King's Speech this year, you might run into some problems. Thankfully, you'll be able to solve this exact issue with a Virtual Private Network (a VPN). 

A VPN lets you get around the usual digital barriers by changing your IP address, meaning you can watch your favorite TV shows even if you're going to be away from where you would normally watch your favorite shows and movies. Our favorite is ExpressVPN , which is the No. 1-rated VPN in the world right now according to our sister site, TechRadar.

How to stream the King's Speech online

In past years, the Queen's Speech was uploaded to the official BBC and Royal Family YouTube Channels shortly after the initial broadcast on TV and Radio networks in the UK.

Since Charles' previous address to the Nation and the Commonwealth following the death of the Queen was shared in the same places, we expect his first Christmas speech will be uploaded there, too.

Martin is a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produces a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows. 

Some of his favorite shows are What We Do In The Shadows , Bridgerton , Gangs of London , The Witcher , Doctor Who , and Ghosts . When he’s not watching TV or at the movies, Martin’s probably still in front of a screen playing the latest video games, reading, or watching the NFL.

Off to the Tower! BBC celebrates 15 years of Horrible Histories with brand new episode

Casualty exclusive: Charles Venn gives us the inside story on baby Carter and Connie Beauchamp!

EastEnders fans predict arrival of MYSTERIOUS Knight family member

Most Popular

• 2 How to watch Danny Dyer: How to Be a Man online or on TV
• 3 Beyond Paradise's Humphrey and Martha wedding album photos revealed
• 4 How to watch Under the Bridge: stream the crime thriller online
• 5 Off to the Tower! BBC celebrates 15 years of Horrible Histories with brand new episode

What will be in the King's speech? Here's what we're expecting - from smoking crackdown to focus on crime

We take a look at what to expect from today's ceremony - and examine what plans for the country's future might be unveiled.

Political reporter @NifS

Tuesday 7 November 2023 07:23, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Westminster will be awash with pomp and ceremony today as parliament hosts the King's Speech.

Update: First King's Speech in decades as tougher sentences for serious offenders announced

But what will the day involve and how will it play out? And what plans for the country's future are likely to be unveiled?

Read on to find out all you need to know.

What is the King's Speech?

While a parliament - meaning the period of time between general elections - can last for up to five years, a new parliamentary session is normally launched annually. It gives the government of the day a chance to outline its legislative plans for the year ahead.

The start of a new session is marked with the grandest of ceremonies, the State Opening of Parliament.

It brings together members of the House of Commons and House of Lords, as well as the monarchy, dressed up in their finest regalia for the day ahead. Look out for the robes, britches and, of course, the crown.

After numerous traditions are played out - from searching the bowels of the building for gunpowder to slamming a door in Black Rod's face - peers and MPs gather in front of the monarch to listen to them deliver the King's (or Queen's) Speech.

While the address may be read out by the head of state, the content is written by the government and sees their legislative agenda given a stately introduction to the ears of parliamentarians and the public.

The speech will fall to King Charles III in his first state opening as monarch - though he had a dry run back in May 2022, when he stood in for his mother due to her mobility issues.

The late Queen Elizabeth II delivered the speech a total of 67 times during her reign, and only missed it on a handful of occasions, including when she was pregnant with Prince Andrew and then Prince Edward.

After the document is read out, MPs return to the Commons and spend around five days debating its content, but not before two backbench MPs nominated by the prime minister kick off proceedings by giving a loyal address to parliament - a light-hearted affair, often littered with some cringeworthy jokes.

What will the speech mean for Rishi Sunak?

This is the first time this prime minister has had his plans delivered in a King's Speech since he moved in to Number 10.

Liz Truss's short premiership meant she missed out on this particular spotlight for her policy agenda. Boris Johnson was the last prime minister to oversee a state opening 18 months ago .

Read more: King's Speech: Plans centred around criminal justice to be unveiled King will have to announce measures we know he's bound to dislike Hard to see how Sunak's first King's Speech won't be his last - analysis

King's Speech live: Watch our special programme on Sky News, hosted by Sophy Ridge, from 10.30am today. You will also be able to follow the event live via the Politics Hub on the Sky News app and website .

Tuesday's ceremony is likely to be the final King's Speech of this parliament as Mr Sunak will have to call a general election by the end of January 2025 at the latest.

That means it may also be his last chance to show both his party and the public what he stands for, following his first year of trying to steady the ship after the chaos surrounding last autumn's revolving door in Downing Street.

Hard to see how Rishi Sunak's first King's Speech won't be his last

Political editor

The King's Speech is supposed to be the landmark moment in the life of parliament.

It is the occasion for a prime minister to set down his or her mission for government, and outline the laws they will pass to try to achieve their goals.

But this year, the moment will belong to King Charles III, rather than Rishi Sunak, for two reasons.

First is the sheer symbolism of the new monarch delivering the first King's Speech in over seven decades.

An epoch-making moment, it reminds us all in the most formal of settings, laced with symbolism, that we have passed from the first Elizabethan era to the new Carolean age.

Second is the reality of Mr Sunak's predicament.

His first King's Speech in power will be less about landing a vision and more about holding position, for this is a prime minister running out of time and with little space to push through new ideas.

Read Beth Rigby's full analysis here

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Mr Sunak will also need to bring his MPs and members with him to ensure they back his leadership going into the looming general election, so he may choose to be cautious with his priorities - while throwing some red meat to please particular wings of the Conservative Party .

But the upcoming national poll also leaves questions over how much legislation the prime minister and his government can push through in a short space of time - during which MPs will also want to be out on the doorstep campaigning to keep their seats.

What will be in the speech?

While the spectacle of the speech is designed for a new legislative agenda to be proposed, the government can also "carry over" some bills from the previous session that it was unable to pass into law.

According to the House of Commons Library, five carry-over motions have been agreed for bills, giving them another 12 months to achieve royal assent, namely:

• Data Protection and Digital Information (No 2) Bill - which aims to update the UK's data protection laws post-Brexit

• Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - which proposes new powers to improve competition between online businesses and new protections for consumers

• Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill - which would introduce a ban on public bodies, such as councils, from boycotting other countries, with a special status for Israel

• Victims and Prisoners Bill - which aims to improve support for victims of crime, along with reform of the parole system

• Renters (Reform) Bill - which features proposed changes to regulations covering the rented housing sector

Two so-called "hybrid" bills will also continue to be scrutinised in the next parliament - one on the future of the northern leg of HS2, which was scrapped by Mr Sunak at his party's conference , and one on a Holocaust memorial in Westminster.

The Commons' researchers have also highlighted several bills announced in the last session that were never officially introduced, meaning they could return under Mr Sunak.

They include the much-touted ban on conversion therapy - though some on the right of the party could influence Number 10 to chuck it out - as well as further measures to tackle modern slavery and a transport bill to bring in some of the HS2 replacement projects announced by the prime minister.

What new proposals are we expecting?

Ministers have already confirmed there will be a bill to phase out leaseholds, with all new houses in England and Wales having to be sold as freehold properties.

Mr Sunak's party conference announcement to raise the legal age for buying cigarettes in England by one year every year to phase out smoking is sure to get a showing too.

But reports suggest the major focus will be on crime , not just with existing plans being finalised - such as compelling criminals to attend sentencing - but with the introduction of bills to introduce tougher sentences for serious crimes, such as rape, and a scheme to rent prison space abroad.

The prime minister is also expected to accelerate his plans to disrupt existing net zero policies with the introduction of an annual system to award new oil and gas licences.

Meanwhile, the government could give its backing to establishing an independent football regulator .

By lunchtime on Tuesday, we will have the full list of what Mr Sunak has in store.

It could either be his springboard to winning the next election - or his last legislative dance while still holding the keys to Number 10.

Related Topics

• Conservatives
• Houses of Parliament
• Israel-Hamas war
• King's speech
• Rishi Sunak

Every word of the King's Speech at Christmas 2022

The king thanked the country for the love shown following his mother's death

• 15:11, 25 DEC 2022

Here is every word King Charles said in his first Christmas message to the nation.

In his first festive address, the king thanked the nation for their sympathy following the death of his mother while also remembering others who may have lost someone close to them.

He praised key workers for their support throughout the year but wanted to give specific thanks to those who have donated their time and efforts to food banks.

READ MORE: Morrisons, Lidl, Iceland and Asda warning as products pulled from shelves

Here's King Charles' first Christmas message in full:

"I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father.

"I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.

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

"In the much-loved carol O Little Town Of Bethlehem we sing of how 'in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light'. My mother's belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people and it is one which I share with my whole heart.

"It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them. This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society.

"We see it in the selfless dedication of our Armed Forces and Emergency Services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed so magnificently as we mourned the passing of our late Queen.

"We see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers and indeed all those working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities.

"And at this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others.

"I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organizations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances.

"Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year.

"Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self. The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit.

"Some years ago, I was able to fulfil a life-long wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. There, I went down into the Chapel of the Manger and stood in silent reverence by the Silver Star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of our Lord Jesus Christ's birth.

"It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, 'The light that has come into the world' was born.

"While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.

"So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future.

"Let us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always. With all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light."

• Christine McGuinness signs off until 2023 after 'guilty' confession
• Gogglebox's Izzi Warner in disbelief as she shares real age
• Morrisons, Lidl, Iceland and Asda warning as products pulled from shelves
• Alison Hammond called out after stolen studio item spotted in home
• Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars who quit the limelight for a quieter life

Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here

For more celeb news, videos and pictures follow our designated Facebook page HERE

• King Charles III
• Most Recent

L.A. sheriff’s deputy facing felony charges, allegedly stole money during traffic stop

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was arrested this week after prosecutors said she stole money during a traffic stop, then filed a false report to cover it up.

Jessica Lynn, 39, was charged with two felonies — concealing evidence and filing a false report — as well as one misdemeanor count of petty theft not exceeding $950, the district attorney’s office said in a news release Wednesday. She’s scheduled for arraignment in July.

If convicted on all charges, prosecutors said, she could face more than six years in prison.

“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with upholding the law and safeguarding our communities,” Dist. Atty. George Gascón said in a statement Wednesday. “When an individual in such a position breaches this trust, it not only undermines the integrity of the entire justice system but also jeopardizes the safety and well-being of those they are sworn to protect.”

In an emailed statement Wednesday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Department said Lynn had been relieved of duty pending resolution of the case.

“Our personnel are not above the law and must be held accountable when their actions violate the Department’s moral and ethical standards,” the statement said, pointing out that the department completed an initial investigation of the matter before turning it over to prosecutors. “We value the public’s trust and expect our personnel to protect our communities with integrity and professionalism.”

Lynn did not immediately response to requests for comment. It is not clear whether she has an attorney.

The case that led to her arrest stems from an April 15, 2023, incident during which prosecutors say Lynn stopped a driver at a strip mall in Whittier at around 2:45 a.m. after noticing the vehicle had heavily tinted windows. The driver did not have a valid license, and after searching the vehicle, Lynn found a coin purse containing money.

D.A. drops poker-chip theft case against deputy after witness cites fear of deputy gangs

The district attorney’s office has decided not to prosecute an East L.A. deputy accused of stealing $500 in poker chips during a traffic stop after the driver who sparked the investigation said he feared retaliation from “deputy gangs.”

Sept. 3, 2023

She’s accused of stealing the cash and tossing out the purse in a trash can, according to the district attorney’s news release.

The case against Lynn — who was based at the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station at the time — is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Justice System Integrity Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

News of her arrest comes months after the district attorney’s office decided not to prosecute another deputy also accused of stealing from a driver during a traffic stop. In that case, records show Deputy Braulio Robledo pulled over a professional gambler leaving the Commerce Casino in January 2020. Robledo patted the man down for weapons, put him in the back of his patrol cruiser and searched his vehicle before letting him go with a warning.

Afterward, the man said, he realized that $500 in white Commerce Casino poker chips had gone missing from his backpack, so he called the East L.A. sheriff’s station to report the incident. Initially, Robledo denied ever pulling him over. But a later review of surveillance footage showed it was his patrol SUV that made the stop, according to what prosecutors wrote in a memo describing the case.

Ultimately, though, the memo said the poker player stopped cooperating with investigators, telling them he did not want to pursue the case because he was scared of retaliation from a deputy gang he called “Los Banditos.” Without a cooperating witness, prosecutors said it was impossible to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that Robledo had robbed anyone that night.

More to Read

Lancaster accuses county of $10-million “illegal profit” on Sheriff’s Department contract

April 12, 2024

San Bernardino County deputy had a double life with a motorcycle gang, police say

April 5, 2024

Ex-deputy says he was fired after refusing to affiliate with alleged deputy gang

April 3, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Keri Blakinger covers the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Before joining the Los Angeles Times in 2023, she spent nearly seven years in Texas, first covering criminal justice for the Houston Chronicle and then covering prisons for the Marshall Project. Her work has appeared everywhere from the BBC to the New York Daily News, from Vice to the Washington Post Magazine, where her 2019 reporting on women in jail helped earn a National Magazine Award. She is the author of “Corrections in Ink,” a 2022 memoir about her time in prison.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Disneyland’s $1.9-billion expansion project is latest mega investment in the Anaheim resort

April 17, 2024

Fire recruit killed on freeway had been in collision before exiting vehicle, CHP says

L.A. ethics panel approves fine for former CBS exec Leslie Moonves over interference with LAPD investigation

LAPD officer who shot girl in Burlington Coat Factory changing room won’t face charges