Grand Duke of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz,
of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin,
of the Duchy of Pomerania,
as well as King of the Kingdom of Prussia
Dear Mecklenburgers, dear Pomeranians, dear Prussians,
in the stillness and warmth of Christmas, we step for a moment out of our everyday lives. It is a time to focus on what truly matters – on the human, the heartfelt, and the connecting aspects of our lives.
In these days, I would like to share with you a thought that has accompanied me for a long time and can give us all strength, not only during Christmas:
Follow your own path.
Find activities that you love, and do them not for money, not for recognition, not out of duty – but purely for the joy they bring you.
Value the people who are important to you, and be with them, not to gain something, but to share life together, with all its highs and lows.
Take a small corner of this world – and make it beautiful.
Whether someone ever notices this beauty or not is irrelevant. For what you create carries the sound of your soul and will accompany you throughout your life.
When a task lies ahead of you, approach it with pride. Do not complain about the effort, but recognize the opportunity within it: the chance to make a difference, to make the world within your influence a little brighter.
Too much of what is considered desirable today stems from fear, insecurity, or the desire for others’ recognition.
But Christmas reminds us that true value and true greatness come from within.
Go beyond fearlessly. Decide for yourself what makes your life good – and put it into action.
Be responsible, helpful, committed, and someone others can rely on. Yet do not feel obliged to fit into the expectations of others. Only you can determine what is fulfilling, peaceful, and worth living for.
The infinite possibilities of existence surround the unique person that you are.
Therefore: Follow your own path. Do your own thing. And seize the wonderful opportunity that your life is – with courage, love, and gratitude.
In this spirit, I wish you and your families a blessed, peaceful, and hopeful Christmas.
