According to a report, King Charles appeared to ignore Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in his first Christmas speech.
Many people were surprised that the new monarch did not mention the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in his first Christmas speech on Sunday. He did, however, praise Prince William and Kate Middleton for their work as senior royals.
As footage from the Cambridges’ public outings played, King Charles said in his Sunday speech, according to Us Weekly:
“The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit.”
Aside from Prince William and Middleton, the new king paid tribute to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth, who died on September 8. She was 96 years old.
His Majesty said in his first-holiday broadcast:
“I am standing here in this exquisite Chapel of St. George at Windsor Castle, so close to where my beloved mother, the late Queen, is laid to rest with my dear father. I am reminded of the deeply touching letters, cards and messages which so many of you have sent my wife and myself, and I cannot thank you enough for the love and sympathy you have shown our whole family.”
He continued:
“Christmas is a particularly poignant time for all of us who have lost loved ones. We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition. … In the much-loved carol ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem,’ we sing of how ‘in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light.’ My mother’s belief in the power of that light was an essential part of her faith in God, but also her faith in people — and it is one which I share with my whole heart.”
Many people were surprised that King Charles did not mention his youngest son, Prince Harry, or his daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle. The alleged snub elicited mixed reactions from netizens, with some questioning him and others applauding his decision.
One critic alleged:
“Because the British monarchy is hella racist.”
A royal supporter wrote in defense of King Charles’ speech:
“Because [the] youngest son has done no good work in the name of the Royal family…..he has only slated them and made fun of them.”
Another added:
“Why would he mention Harry and Meg? Did the Queen ever mention Anne? Are we supposed to pretend she was ‘snubbed’ too? Will and Kate got a one-line mention to hammer home the CHARITIES they had visited together. That should be the focus, not your silly boring made-up soap opera.”
A different person wrote:
“He didn’t mention a lot of people. The Queen rarely mentioned people like Edward or Anne. Stop trying to stir up more hate. It’s Christmas bloody day.”
King Charles’ omission of the Sussexes in his speech came just weeks after the Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan” premiered. They made several claims about their relationship with the family in the documentary, with Prince Harry alleging they were victims of “institutional gaslighting.”
Prior to the Sussexes’ docuseries, King Charles mentioned them in his inaugural address following Queen Elizabeth’s death in September. In his speech, he expressed his affection for the royal couple.
He said, according to the New York Times’ full transcript of his speech:
“I want also to express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”