Overview

• The King’s personal message reached researchers serving at British Antarctic Survey stations on the southern hemisphere’s shortest day.
• He commended their resilience and commitment, noting each of their observations contributes to understanding Earth’s fragile systems.
• The BBC’s midwinter broadcast celebrated its 70th anniversary with music requests, messages from home and annual feasts at British Antarctic Survey sites.
• Charles urged that humanity must give back to nature if it hopes to rescue the planet from continuing degradation.
• The address coincided with the UK recording temperatures up to 34C and a Met Office yellow thunderstorm warning for northern England.