Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas broadcast omission reportedly deepened tensions and hastened the Sussexes’ royal exit
Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from royal duties was shaped by many factors, but one quiet moment during Queen Elizabeth II’s 2019 Christmas speech reportedly carried more weight than it appeared at the time.
According to a report cited by RadarOnline.com, the absence of a photograph featuring Harry, Meghan Markle and their baby son during the Queen’s annual broadcast was seen by the couple as a painful signal that they were being sidelined. The omission is said to have been the final straw in a period marked by growing frustration.
That Christmas, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were spending the holidays privately with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Their son was just seven months old. While the Queen delivered her address from the Green Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, viewers could see framed photos of Charles and Camilla, the Waleses and their children, Prince Philip, and a black-and-white image of King George VI. Noticeably missing was any photograph of Harry, Meghan Markle, or their new family.
In Finding Freedom, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote that the couple were deeply hurt by what they perceived as a public snub. One royal insider described the moment as defining, saying it reshaped how Harry and Meghan viewed their place within the family and the institution.
Another source offered a different perspective, suggesting the Queen was simply following tradition by highlighting the line of succession, with no intention of excluding anyone. Still, for Harry and Meghan, the message felt personal. A palace insider noted that while tensions had been building for some time, the missing photograph made those feelings impossible to ignore.
In early 2020, Harry and Meghan formally stepped away from their roles as senior royals and later relocated to North America, beginning a new chapter away from royal life.
