Charles to break silence on Harry and Meghan in Christmas speech
King Charles leaves Buckingham Palace
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King Charles III will break Buckingham Palace’s silence on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during his first-ever Christmas speech, royals sources have claimed. The royal household has remained tight-lipped on the couple since their Netflix docuseries came out earlier this month, with no comment on the explosive claims contained in any of the six episodes. The King will reportedly resist any temptation for a lengthy comment addressing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and instead celebrate the late Queen Elizabeth II as they threaten not to attend his Coronation.
Insiders have said that filming on his first speech as sovereign has already wrapped ahead of Christmas and will touch on the Queen’s legacy while aiming to “uplift” a hardship-laden nation.
The first speech from a King since 1952 will see Charles “steer away from family matters”.
Speaking to The Mirror, a royal source said they didn’t believe the monarch would “waste a moment on them”.
They added that he would not follow his mother and place any “hidden messages of reconciliation” around the set.
The Queen famously included nods to family members with carefully arranged portraits and items placed on the desk from which she made her Christmas address or a brief video insert.
The King will use his first 10-minute broadcast to “try to galvanise and inspire” Britons as they face “numerous problems and hardships”.
The source added he is “wise and experienced enough” to understand he should “steer away” from family matters.
The Duke and Duchess have reportedly requested a sit-down meeting with senior royals as they seek an apology which will determine whether they attend the King’s Coronation in spring 2023.
The Sunday Times reported that Prince Harry and Ms Markle “want their own apology” after former Palace aide Lady Susan Hussey extended her own to charity boss Ngozi Fulani following her “unacceptable” comments on London-born Ms Fulani’s race.
The publication added that the former senior royals want a “sit down with the Royal Family” to address “issues” of their own.
Royal commentators believe those “reconciliation” talks will fail to take off.
Vanity Fair royal editor Katie Nicholl told OK Magazine that time-honoured Palace policy would help ensure controversy fizzles out.
She said: “I think the Palace’s stance of never complain, never explain in this instance is absolutely the right strategy because if they comment they will only fuel the narrative and allow the story more oxygen to run.
“I think by saying nothing it’s a dignified silence.”
Despite internal rifts, the King will still have time for family and focus on the late Queen.
The Mirror’s source said: “I’m sure King Charles will take time to reflect on his mother’s phenomenal achievements and the enormous legacy she has left.”
The Christmas address on December 25 will be the nation’s first without the Queen.
She delivered a speech nearly without fail during her 70-year reign, only missing one in 1969 due to a televised documentary covering the Firm.
The Queen provided the first-ever speech via television broadcast, making Charles the first King to provide one in British history.
While it does not yet have an official release date, royal officials will likely broadcast the King’s Christmas speech at 3pm on December 25.
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