Although the Queen didn’t mention Andrew, Harry or Meghan, she did acknowledge Charles, Camilla William, and Kate in her Christmas message.
The monarch, who is 95, praised the Prince and Duchess Of Cornwall and their climate activism. She did not make any mention of the Sussexes or her middle child.
The House of Windsor was plunged into its most severe crisis since arguably Princess Diana’s death in 1997 after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex quit royal duties last year.
Harry and Meghan proceeded to make a series of bombshell allegations against the Royal Family during their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Accusations of racism forced the Queen to pointedly claim that ‘recollections may vary’ as she issued an unprecedented plea to deal with their issues privately as a family.
Though it is thought that Her Majesty has invited the couple to a service of thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh’s life, concerns remain over Harry’s forthcoming ‘tell-all’ memoir – due to be published next autumn after the Platinum Jubilee.
Meanwhile, the Queen’s middle son Andrew stepped out of the public spotlight over questions about his friendship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, and Epstein’s ‘madam’ Ghislaine Maxwell, who is on trial in New York accused of sex trafficking. These allegations were denied by the Queen’s middle son Andrew.
The Duke of York is fighting a US Civil lawsuit that alleges Virginia Roberts, Epstein’s trafficking victim, was forced to have sexual relations with Epstein on three occasions.
Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied Miss Roberts’s claims, and his lawyers are trying to get the case thrown out.
The Queen’s middle son Andrew stepped out of the public spotlight over questions about his friendship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, and Epstein’s ‘madam’ Ghislaine Maxwell
Harry and Meghan took a picture with Archie, their baby boy, and Lilibet Diana, their daughter.
The monarch, who is 95, commended Prince of Wales, his wife Duchess, and the Duke & Duchess Of Cambridge for their climate activism. She didn’t even mention her middle son, nor the Sussexes.
Also, she spoke affectionately about Charles, her oldest son, and Camilla, his wife, the Duchess de Cornwall.
The Queen thanked Charles, Camilla and William for their climate activism during her broadcast to the nation.
Speaking from Windsor Castle, she said: ‘I am proud beyond words that his (Philip’s) pioneering work has been taken on and magnified by our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William – admirably supported by Camilla and Catherine – most recently at the COP climate change summit in Glasgow.’
Charles has long planned a slimmed-down Monarchy. Although the details of this plan have not been disclosed, they are known to exist. It has been suggested that the Sovereign Grant will provide financial support to the government and full title rights for the only heirs of the throne. This includes protection from the tax payer and the Sovereign Grant.
Charles and Andrew have already been at loggerheads about what security Andrew’s daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, should receive in future, the Mail on Sunday previously reported.
An insider told the MoS: ‘Charles has never made any secret of the fact that he wants a slimmed-down Monarchy when he becomes King.
‘He realises that the public don’t want to pay for a huge Monarchy and, as he said, the balcony at Buckingham Palace would probably collapse.’
The Queen’s Christmas message was her emotional ever, paying tribute to her ‘beloved’ Philip following his death in April aged 99.
Charles, Camilla and William exiting their vehicle. This image was taken from Queen’s Broadcast
As she sat beside the framed photo of Prince Philip (pictured), The Queen gave an emotional tribute. She wore the sapphire-chrysanthemum brooch that she wore on her jacket in a photo to commemorate her 73rd anniversary of marriage with Philip.
One of the images broadcast today showed the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at one of their ‘happy places’ – the Coyles of Muick hills close to Balmoral, where they enjoyed walking and picnics throughout their long lives together. She is so fondly attached to the area that her corgi pup was named after it. This special photo was taken in 2003 by the daughter of the Countess, during their summer vacations.
Buckingham Palace has permission to publish a few treasured photos of the queen.
‘Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones,’ the Queen said. ‘This year, especially, I understand why.’
The monarch, with a sapphire chrysanthemum brooch pinned to her Christmas red Angela Kelly dress, said of Philip: ‘His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible.
‘That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him. However, life is not all about first meets. And as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas.’
The Covid variant also had an impact on the Queen, who cancelled her Sandringham trip in order to spend Christmas with Windsor. Clarence House reported that Charles and Camilla were also present at the event.
‘While Covid again means we can’t celebrate quite as we may have wished, we can still enjoy the many happy traditions,’ the head of state said.
‘I am sure someone somewhere today will remark that Christmas is a time for children. It’s an engaging truth, but only half the story. Perhaps it’s truer to say that Christmas can speak to the child within us all.
‘Adults, when weighed down with worries, sometimes fail to see the joy in simple things, where children do not.
‘And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as we have the chance to reminisce, and see anew the wonder of the festive season through the eyes of our young children, of whom we were delighted to welcome four more this year.’
In addition, Queen Elizabeth II hinted at the possibility that loved ones might reunite in the New Year.
‘February, just six weeks from now, will see the start of my Platinum Jubilee year, which I hope will be an opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a sense of togetherness… and also to look ahead with confidence,’ she said.
’I wish you all a very happy Christmas.’