King Charles has been praised for leaving Harry and Meghan out of his first Christmas speech, with a commentator saying it was a victory for the House of Windsor.
The King has used his first Christmas broadcast to sympathise with families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and praise individuals, charities and faith groups supporting those in need.
Victoria Jones
Charles spoke about the “great anxiety and hardship” experienced by many trying to “pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm” during his televised message, which featured footage of a food bank and other scenes of meals being distributed to the homeless. He also described how the festive period was a “poignant time” for bereaved families, adding “We feel their absence at every familiar turn of the season and remember them in each cherished tradition”.
Charles said he shared the late Queen’s “faith in people” who can touch the lives of others with “goodness and compassion”, something he described as the “essence of our community and the very foundation of our society”.
These qualities were reflected in the “selfless dedication” of the armed forces, health and social care professionals, teachers and all those who work in public service.
Charles noted in his speech how his son, William, the heir to the throne, and William's wife, Kate, had visited Wales recently, "shining a light" on examples of community spirit.
But he made no mention of William's brother, Harry, or his wife, Meghan, who took part in a documentary this month in which the couple portrayed the royal family as a tone-deaf institution unconcerned about their mental well-being. Harry and Meghan also recounted how they had stepped back from their royal roles in 2020 after a slew of negative press coverage.
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Speaking to Nana Akua on GB News shortly after the address, former royal commentator Michael Cole said their omission was a clear victory for the Royal Family.
“The King today gave a very good address. It was very much him. It was to the point. He’d obviously written it himself.
“What was really interesting was the visuals.
“We saw a name check for the Prince and Princess of Wales. We saw, on film, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Edward and Sophie, and we saw the Princess Royal Princess Anne.
“What we didn’t see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their hilltop fortress in California.
“If I was doing football commentary I would say House of Windsor - four, house of whinge – nil.”