Spain's monarch, King Felipe, called on Sunday the people across Spain to strengthen unity amid rising energy and food prices in the country. 

As he delivered his tenth Christmas speech since he assumed the throne, King Felipe described the year as being one of the hardest and urged people to take care of Spain's democracy, protect their cohesion, and strengthen their institutions.

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The monarch further spoke of the tough situation people were facing with regard to the rising cost of living.

"Rising prices, especially of food, have meant insecurity in our homes. Everyday actions, like turning on the heating or the light, or refuelling the car, have become a cause for concern and in many cases have meant important personal and family sacrifices," he said.

This situation was "causing great concern and uncertainty in our society. We cannot ignore the severity of these problems but we also cannot give up the possibility that things can change and improve,” he added.

He called on all people across the country to "trust in ourselves as a nation" and be "more committed than ever to our democracy and to Europe."

He warned against ignoring threats to cohesion and becoming a divided nation.

"A country which is divided or in conflict cannot make advances," the King said. 

After praising the Constitution and calling Spain "one of the world’s great nations," he said, "We must continue sharing goals, always with a spirit of renewal and adapting to changing times. With confidence in our country, in a Spain I know well, brave and open to the world, a Spain that seeks serenity, peace, tranquillity, a Spain which is responsible, creative, vital and generous….it’s up to all of you."

King Felipe sent festive wishes from himself, Queen Letizia, and their two daughters before bidding everyone Happy Christmas in the main languages of Spain.

🔴📡#EnDirecto | Mensaje de Navidad de Su Majestad el Rey 2022.#MensajeNavidadRey https://t.co/OShJtSdwgI

— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) December 24, 2022

Like other countries in the EU, Spain has been under the plight of its own reckless decision to abide by EU sanctions against Russia and capping the price of Russian gas, which is the root cause of the bloc-wide economic crisis.

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