King Charles has ‘clearly made up his mind’ about Prince Harry and Prince Andrew after failing to mention either of them in his Christmas Day speech, a royal expert has claimed.
Addressing the nation in a pre-recorded message from London’s Fitzrovia Chapel, the King paid tribute to the medical staff who supported him and the Princess of Wales during their cancer treatment.
He also spoke about his pride in the way communities across the UK responded to the riots over the summer and included segments from Prince William and the wider royal family.
But his post made no mention of Harry, Meghan or his disgraced brother Andrew.
Royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop said the speech showed Charles, 76, ‘chose to focus on the family’s strengths, not its weaknesses, to strengthen the nation’.
She told me The mirrorLest we doubt it, the clever film that accompanied this speech underlined the importance of the King’s Royal A-Team, ready to deliver what Charles sees as an alternative to global assassination: a listening and understanding mission that leads to actions for the good of all.
‘As well as a repeat of the King’s famous hug with the New Zealand rugby team, there was footage of Kate at Trooping the Colour, Camilla in Scotland and Australia, William serving food to the homeless and of course those royal stalwarts, Princess Anne and the Edinburghs.’
Harry and Andrew have not been featured in the royal monarch’s Christmas speech for years.
The 76-year-old monarch filmed his special message from a former hospital chapel in London to highlight the link with the country’s vital healthcare community
King Charles has ‘clearly made up his mind’ about Prince Harry (pictured in 2023), a royal expert has claimed
Prince Andrew has not been featured in the royal monarch’s Christmas speech for years.
The late Queen Elizabeth notably missed the couple during her message in 2019 and they have not been mentioned in a celebratory speech since.
MailOnline’s royal expert Robert Hardman said the king’s change in background was also a sign of the warring relationships within the company.
He said the unusual choice to film the Christmas speech outside the royal grounds may have spared Charles from the usual intense analysis of the photos shown.
Instead of having pictures framed behind him at Buckingham Palace, as the Queen traditionally did, the King only had a Christmas tree, lights and a beautiful scene of the chapel.
Mr Hardman said: ‘By avoiding a royal office or sitting room, the King has also avoided any micro-analysis of whatever royal photographs and portraits are photographed, thus giving a hint as to who is (or isn’t) in is the royal favor. The Fitzrovia Chapel reveals nothing more enticing than a Christmas tree adorned with ‘sustainable’ decorations.”
The Christmas message was only filmed ‘on location’ for the fourth time, instead of on a royal estate.
The official royal family Instagram account have now shared a video showing just how much work went into making everything perfect for the annual occasion.
The Monarch appeared on TV screens on Wednesday to deliver his speech from London’s Fitzrovia Chapel (pictured)
King Charles III attends a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace for the royal family
The clip showed the Band of the Grenadier Guards suiting up in their distinctive scarlet uniform as Charles practiced his speech.
Part of the video message was filmed with a drone that flew through the doors of the building before stopping in front of the smart security guards.
Members of the team also helped decorate the atmosphere with lighted festive trees and decorations to set the mood.
It also showed Charles discussing with technicians how to use the teleprompter to read his speech, and watching the footage after it had been filmed.
The royal family’s official Instagram account wrote: ‘Behind the lens.
‘A special glimpse into the incredible talent, creativity and teamwork that brings The King’s Christmas Broadcast to life.’