Queen Elizabeth II Avoids Mentioning Harry and Meghan, Nods to Lilibet in Christmas Speech

Queen Elizabeth II praised the environmental campaigning of five royals—but not Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The Monarch, 95, gave her most emotional Christmas Day message yet as she reflected on the death of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.

Elizabeth described how Philip's "mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at
the end as when I first set eyes on him."

She also praised his contribution to promoting the environment and name-checked four more royals as well.

Meghan and Harry were not among those mentioned—though she did give a subtle nod to her joy at their baby daughter Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor.

The queen said: "He [Philip] was also an early champion of taking seriously our stewardship of the environment; and I am proud beyond words that his pioneering work has been taken on and magnified by our eldest son Charles and his eldest son William—admirably supported by Camilla and Catherine—most recently at the COP climate change summit in Glasgow."

Prince Harry founded eco-tourism firm Travalyst, and the couple in November pledged to make their Archewell foundation net zero by 2030.

In her Christmas message, the queen said: "Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones" but added that children help her feel joy again.

And she mentioned the arrival of "four more this year," in reference to Harry and Meghan's daughter baby Lilibet, born in June.

Three of the queen's granddaughters, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall, also had babies this year.

Elizabeth said: "I am sure someone somewhere today will remark that Christmas is a time for children. It's an engaging truth, but only half the story. Perhaps it's truer to say that Christmas can speak to the child within us all. Adults, when weighed down with worries, sometimes fail to see the joy in simple things, where children do not.

"And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as we have the chance to reminisce, and see anew the wonder of the festive season through the eyes of our young children, of whom we were delighted to welcome four more this year.

"They teach us all a lesson—just as the Christmas story does—that in the birth of a child, there is a new dawn with endless potential."

It comes after Meghan and Harry released the first picture of Lilibet on their 2021 Christmas card, taken by their wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski.

They included a message, which read: "This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a 'Mama' and a 'Papa', and Lili made us a family.

"As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families—from those being relocated from Afghanistan, to American families in need of paid parental leave."

Meghan and Harry signed off: "Wishing you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year, from our family to yours! As ever, Harry, Meghan, Archie & Lili."