A season normally marked by togetherness has instead highlighted divisions in two of Europe's oldest monarchies. King Charles III of Britain is under fire for what critics call a pointed exclusion of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children from the royal Christmas observances. Meanwhile, Norway's royal family is experiencing unprecedented strain, with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit publicly admitting they have sought outside support during what has been a "demanding year."
The debate over King Charles's decision not to mention Harry and Meghan in his Christmas address centers on the monarch's repeated references to family, underscored by images of his eldest son, Prince William, his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their three children. Yet there was no direct acknowledgment of Prince Harry or his family, prompting one critical social media user to quip, "Harry who?"
Questions about a potential reconciliation between father and son have circulated for months. One insider told The Daily Beast, "Charles would like to reconcile with Harry but is being blocked from bringing him back into the family by William," adding that William remains "implacably opposed to any such move." According to the same source, "The elder son believes Harry's betrayal of the family in his books and interviews ... has put him beyond the pale." These revelations, along with rumors of Charles's declining health, have magnified the significance of this year's Christmas address.
Further complicating matters are reports that King Charles chose not to invite Harry and Meghan to Sandringham for fear of creating tension with other royal family members. A source close to the situation said: "He might love him dearly, but clearly doesn't love him enough to put up with all of his drama." The insider explained, "King Charles would have loved the opportunity to see his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet, but he knew inviting Harry and Meghan would have been awkward for the rest of the family. So, there was no official invitation."
Despite the alleged snub, observers note that King Charles's failure to appear with Harry could also reflect decisions made within the family's inner circle. Indeed, the speech was not delivered from the traditional desk, which typically features framed family photographs in the background. This arrangement made it more difficult for critics to parse which relatives hold favor-or, conversely, find themselves excluded. One commentary pointed out, "Back at Sandringham it will have been the traditional Christmas UK style that Harry knows so well," underscoring how familiar Harry is with the festivities he missed.
Across the North Sea, the Norwegian royal family has also ended the year under intense scrutiny. In a Christmas interview broadcast on Norwegian television, Crown Princess Mette-Marit acknowledged the personal toll that family scandals have taken, saying: "If I had to choose one word for this year, it would be 'challenging.' It has been a demanding year and a demanding autumn for us." Although not mentioning specific names, her reference was widely interpreted to be about her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, who made headlines with multiple arrests and severe allegations in recent months.
According to reports in the London Times, Borg Hoiby, 27, initially admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend and threatening to set her clothes on fire, citing drug and alcohol abuse as factors in his behavior. He has since faced additional accusations, including one of committing a sexual act "with someone who is ... unable to resist the act," which he denies. In the face of these developments, Crown Princess Mette-Marit said, "What we can say is that we have been receiving help, professional help, from the healthcare system for a long time. I don't think we would have been able to be in a situation like this without having that help, together as a family."
King Harald V, at 87 Europe's oldest reigning monarch, joined the television appearance. He candidly commented on his family's situation, saying: "It's hard that someone we love has experienced this, but now we must let the legal system work as it should." Queen Sonja added: "But it's clear that it's taking its toll," according to the London Times. The monarchy's popularity has dipped notably, slipping from 81 percent in 2017 to 62 percent, as reported by the same outlet.
Another strain on the Norwegian royals is the controversial marriage of Princess Märtha Louise-Crown Prince Haakon's sister-to Durek Verrett, an American shaman who has accused the Norwegian public of racism. Verrett's assertion that "people don't want a black man in the royal family" has sparked debate within the country. He also claimed, "I have never experienced so much racism as when I came to Norway," statements that have further divided public opinion about the monarchy's openness and modernity.
Adding to the concern is King Harald's apparently fragile health. He now walks with crutches and was reportedly hospitalized after a fall earlier this year. While there is no official confirmation of plans for succession, the king's frailty has placed additional scrutiny on Crown Prince Haakon's readiness to assume full duties should his father's condition worsen.
