Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Photo Display Reportedly Dismayed Prince Harry According To Royal Expert

Dec 03, 2021 by apost team

In January 2020, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry made a bombshell announcement, telling the world that they would be stepping back from their senior roles as members of the royal family. The couple moved to Southern California soon after and the duo has openly criticized the royal family in multiple interviews since then. Ever since, the couple has been in the news for a variety of supposed or stated disagreements between them and the rest of the royal family. The tense relationship between the Sussex's and the royal line has been fodder for news outlets all over the world.

It's also the subject of a new multi-part BBC documentary, "The Princes and the Press," which premiered on Nov. 22 in the U.K. In a rare collective statement from Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace and Clarence House, the royal family denounced the documentary, describing it as a film based on "overblown and unfounded claims." According to Newsweek, the series features interviews with journalists about supposed "leaks from within Kensington Palace" on controversial topics such as "whether Meghan Markle was difficult to work for." The two brothers' supposedly stormy relationship is also a subject of the documentary.

Buckingham Palace has criticized the documentary, claiming that much of it is based on unfounded rumors. "However, too often overblown and unfounded claims from unnamed sources are presented as facts and it is disappointing when anyone, including the BBC, gives them credibility," their statement read.

In a move that is sure to get Buckingham Palace to shake their heads negatively once again, royal author Christopher Andersen gave an interview in which he claimed Prince Harry had felt especially alienated by a Christmas decision the queen made in 2019.

Every year during Christmas time, Queen Elizabeth gives her address to the Commonwealth. Traditionally, the queen will be sitting at her desk in Windsor Castle, photos of her loved ones and family prominently displayed around her while she talks to the nations of Commonwealth and sends her Christmas greetings.

According to Christopher Andersen, author of several bestsellers and critically acclaimed biographies of public figures such as John F. Kennedy, Katharine Hepburn, or Madonna, the 2019 address was ultimately the reason why the rift between Prince Harry and his family finally stretched too far. In an exclusive interview with Us Magazine, the author spoke about things he had learned while researching for his newest book, "Brothers and Wives: Inside the Private Lives of William, Kate, Harry, and Meghan."

Andersen explained that an important change had been made between the 2018 address and the one from 2019. He marked this small, but significant change as the turning point in the royal relationships:

"In 2018, she sat there in front of a Christmas tree. She gave her Christmas address and there were the family photos. … Including [Harry's son] Archie and Megan and Harry, very prominently displayed."

At this point of time, Harry and Meghan had already decided to step back from their royal duties, but were still living in Great Britain and had made no mention of any intent to move to the US.

Andersen describes what happened then at the 2019 address, as Us Magazine writes:

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"The queen hasn't decided what to do about it [amid the talks of Harry leaving]. There's a point at which — just before she gives a speech to the director on set — [she is] asked her which photographs she wants in the shot next to her," 72-year-old journalist explained, claiming that the queen said, "We won't be needing that one" while pointing to a photo of the Sussex family. Subsequently, the picture of the Sussex's was removed from the setup and was the only family photo not included in the 2019 address.

Andersen goes on to explain that Prince Harry was hurt by the queen's decision: "I think that was a hurtful [for him to see]. A friend of Harry's told me that he felt that he was being erased in a sense from the family. It seems very subtle, but when you think about it, when somebody cuts you out of the family album, so to speak, it's a pretty strong message."

A message that seemingly spurred Harry on to cut his ties to his family and move to the US with his wife. Following the Christmas address, the Sussex's would first relocate to Canada, which is still part of the Commonwealth, in early 2020. However, the decision to cut their ties seems to have already been talked about between the two of them and in early 2021, they officially moved to California, completely removing themselves from the royal sphere of influence. The move marked a decisive rift among the royal family and breach of long-standing traditions.

What do you think about this revelation? Would you feel slighted if a close family member removed your photos for an event such as this? Tell us what you think and pass this on to fellow royal fans.