Why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Weren’t Mentioned In King Charles’ Speech But Kate and William Were
This week, King Charles gave his first ever Christmas Day speech was to the U.K., dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II. The broadcast included shots from the life of the royal family’s yearly activities, and clips of Prince William and Princess Kate of Wales made it into the final cut. However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not.
The reason for this, according to HELLO!, is that the footage of the Waleses was from charitable work they were doing at St. Thomas Church in Swansea in September as working members of the royal family. Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle no longer fulfill those duties, so they were not incorporated into the broadcast.
In a pre-recorded address set at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the King thanked people for their outpouring of support after his mother’s death.
“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 said. “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.”
Kate Middleton also dedicated her annual Christmas carol service to Queen Elizabeth, saying before the service, “This Christmas will be our first without Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Her Majesty held Christmas close to her heart, as a time that brought people together and reminded us of the importance of faith, friendship and family, and to show empathy and compassion.”
She added that invitees to the event reflected the “inspiration” of the late monarch with their contributions to their communities.
“Her Majesty leaves with us an incredible legacy and one that has deeply inspired many of us,” Kate added.
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.