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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

King Charles gushes over William in Christmas speech but fails to mention Harry or Meghan

This year marked the first time King Charles III gave the royal Christmas Day speech following the death of his beloved mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Ahead of his address, thousands of British Royal fans pondered whether or not King Charles would mention Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their controversial exit from their Royal duties and their recent Netflix documentary series.

The controversial series follows their romance from the beginning to their marriage, and the challenges that led to them ultimately turn their back on their full-time roles with the Royal Family.

Addressing the nation on Christmas Day, Charles discussed The Queen and Prince Philip, and shared his condolences with those who have lost loved ones this year.

The King went on to discuss solidarity in times of hardship, stating: "The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit."

King Charles III gave his first Christmas speech following the death of his mother the Queen (BBC)

And while William and Kate got a mention, there was no words from Charle about Harry and Meghan.

It comes after Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told that he thought Harry and Meghan wouldn't get a mention at all, and instead Charles' speech would most likely be a tribute to his late mother - and it turns out he was correct.

In today's speech - filmed close to The Queen's final resting place earlier this month - Charles paid tribute to his parents before speaking of the 'faith in people'.

He then commended 'wonderfully kind' people who have helped others during this difficult year and cost of living crisis.

“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," King Charles said.

Prince Harry and Meghan were not mentioned in the speech (Getty Images)
Harry and Meghan left their royal duties in 2020 (AFP via Getty Images)

“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.

“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.

“It is a belief in the extraordinary ability of each person to touch, with goodness and compassion, the lives of others, and to shine a light in the world around them. This is the essence of our community and the very foundation of our society.

King Charles praised Kate and William (Daily Mirror/Ian Vogler)
Kate and William were mentioned in the speech (Chris Jackson / Earthshot)

He went on: "We see it in the selfless dedication of our Armed Forces and Emergency Services who work tirelessly to keep us all safe, and who performed so magnificently as we mourned the passing of our late Queen.

“We see it in our health and social care professionals, our teachers and indeed all those working in public service, whose skill and commitment are at the heart of our communities.

“And at this time of great anxiety and hardship, be it for those around the world facing conflict, famine or natural disaster, or for those at home finding ways to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm, we see it in the humanity of people throughout our nations and the Commonwealth who so readily respond to the plight of others.

“I particularly want to pay tribute to all those wonderfully kind people who so generously give food or donations, or that most precious commodity of all, their time, to support those around them in greatest need, together with the many charitable organisations which do such extraordinary work in the most difficult circumstances.

“Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year.

The Queen passed away on September 8 (Getty Images)

“Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self.

“The Prince and Princess of Wales recently visited Wales, shining a light on practical examples of this community spirit. Some years ago, I was able to fulfil a life-long wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.

“There, I went down into the Chapel of the Manger and stood in silent reverence by the Silver Star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of our Lord Jesus Christ’s birth. It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, ‘The light that has come into the world’ was born."

Finishing off his Christmas speech, King Charles said: “While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.

“So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future.

“Let us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always.

“With all my heart, I wish each of you a Christmas of peace, happiness and everlasting light.”

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