King Charles has used his Easter message to encourage unity between faiths, and to recognise those delivering humanitarian aid in conflict zones and areas affected by disaster.
"One of the puzzles of our humanity is how we are capable of both great cruelty and great kindness," the King said, ahead of the traditional Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral.
He spoke of the "paradox of human life", praising the bravery of aid workers and announcing a new Humanitarian Medal to honour their courage and compassion.
In his 2025 Easter message, the King reflected on Jesus’s actions as a "token of His love that knew no bounds or boundaries and is central to Christian belief".
"The love He showed when He walked the Earth reflected the Jewish ethic of caring for the stranger and those in need, a deep human instinct echoed in Islam and other religious traditions, and in the hearts of all who seek the good of others," he said.
"The abiding message of Easter is that God so loved the world, the whole world, that He sent His son to live among us to show us how to love one another, and to lay down His own life for others in a love that proved stronger than death.
"There are three virtues that the world still needs – faith, hope and love. 'And the greatest of these is love'."
The King also repeated that humanity is "capable of both great cruelty and great kindness", noting how this paradox is seen both in the Easter story and in everyday life: "At one moment, terrible images of human suffering, and in another, heroic acts in war-torn countries where humanitarians of every kind risk their own lives to protect the lives of others."
He added: "A few weeks ago, I met many such people at a reception in Buckingham Palace and felt a profound sense of admiration for their resilience, courage and compassion."
The King and Queen are attending this year’s Maundy Service at Durham Cathedral, where 76 men and women – reflecting the King’s age – will receive specially minted Maundy Money, including coins commemorating the Queen Mother and the Second World War.