The photo of Prince Harry and wife, Meghan Markle, are noticeable missing on the desk of Queen Elizabeth II on her annual Christmas message. This sparked speculation that the Queen could be sending a message to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Buckingham Palace released an official photo of the monarch ahead of her annual Christmas speech. In the photo, she was seen sitting regally at her desk at Windsor Castle's Green Drawing Room next to a table full of photos of the royal family members. Netizens immediately noticed that the photo of Harry and Meghan was missing.
Her table features a black and white photo of her father King George VI, a snap of her husband Prince Philip, a picture of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, and a family portrait of Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three kids.
The longest-reigning monarch of England acknowledged that 2019 has been "quite bumpy" for the family. The royal family has been plagued with controversies which include Prince Andrew's scandal.
The Queen's 59-year-old son tried to justify in an interview his close friendship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The interview, however, backfired and Andrew was slammed for his behavior. The Duke of York eventually stepped down from his royal duties.
Harry and Meghan have been the center of controversies this year too. They were slammed for using private jet while campaigning for climate change initiatives.
The Duke of Sussex also admitted that there has been a tension between him and his brother Prince William. Harry and Meghan also spoke about their struggles living in the public eye.
Many are expecting that the photo of Harry and Meghan will be on Her Majesty's desk this year given that the couple welcomed this year their first child, Baby Archie. The Sussexes have also released their first Christmas card with Archie.
In the Queen's 2018 Christmas Address, the wedding photo of Harry and Meghan was prominently featured on her desk. The Buckingham Palace has yet to release a statement about the omission of Harry and Meghan's photo on the Queen's desk.
The royal commentator Victoria Howard offered an explanation on the alleged Queen snubbing the Sussexes. She stressed that it was not a snub.
The founder of The Crown Chronicles explained to Oprah Magazine that the photos were chosen based on an individual's proximity to the throne. Howard said this is also the reason why the photographs of Queen's other three children-Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward-are not on her desk. It is only Prince Charles, who is next to the throne, got into the Queen's tableau.
"The photographs used in The Queen's Christmas broadcast are a deliberate choice, but certainly not a snub. It is part of the branding of the monarchy to show continuity and the future of the Crown," Howard said.
