ROYALSChristmas Speech 'Snub': Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Unlikely to Be Mentioned in King Charles' Holiday Message
King Charles may not mention the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in his annual Christmas Speech.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's relationship with the royal family has been nothing short of "toxic" this year in the run-up to King Charles III's second Christmas Day Speech as monarch.
"Harry and Meghan are unlikely to be mentioned. Omid Scobie's Endgame, which was an attack on the monarchy and caused considerable controversy, certainly won't be," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams dished.
King Charles III delivering his first Christmas Speech as monarch in December 2022.
"It does seem likely that, with the situation in Gaza causing such concern, that it will be mentioned. The coming year is an election year in Britain. The King’s message, above party politics, will symbolize the continuity which the monarchy provides and which is so important," he added.
Other royal analysts claim that His Majesty may briefly mention his coronation on May 6 and thank everyone for their participation and support for the first of its kind in 70 years. If the monarch fails to mention the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, it will follow his message last year, in which he also left the pair out. The King has not publicly mentioned Harry and Meghan since his address to the nation the day after Queen Elizabeth II died.
Although rumors of a Sussex return to Sandringham have been gaining steam for weeks, the source spilled that Harry and Meghan likely will not be in attendance for the fifth year running. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are allegedly planning to "reach out" to the monarch via telephone over having success in this setup on his 75th birthday on November 14.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pictured at Sandringham House on Christmas Day, 2018.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last spent Christmas with the royals in 2018. Harry and Meghan decided to spend the following year's holiday with the former actress' mom, Doria Ragland, in California. Two weeks later, they broke the news of "Megxit," which initiated a huge royal scandal in the weeks leading up to the global pandemic lockdowns. However, sources say the animosity between the royal rebels and the other senior royals had been brewing for some time before that.
Elizabeth II chose not to display a photo of Harry and Meghan on her desk during her 2019 Christmas Speech.
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The recent 'Endgame' controversy may have affected King Charles' decision on whether or not to invite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Britain for Christmas.
"It’s always so interesting to see what photos are put on display — a lot of care and attention goes into this. A lot is about showing off the continuity of the family and the bloodline. Everything is meaningful and carefully curated — down to the items in the backdrop," a palace source spilled.
Nevertheless, Fitzwilliams is not alone in citing recent controversies that are likely to blame if His Majesty does not extend a Sussex invite.
"I doubt if there was any invitation to spend Christmas with the royal family. I would be very surprised. [The furor over Endgame] isn't going to help," marketing analyst Pauline Maclaran told an outlet.
King Charles III is believed to be the only senior royal to still be on speaking terms with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as 2024 looms.
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Daily Express reported on Fitzwilliams' remarks.
