Harry's CHRISTMAS HEARTACHE

As he reflects on another Christmas in self-imposed exile, deep down Harry will know that without the Queen in his corner the landscape has changed, writes royal expert Duncan Larcombe

King Charles is widely expected to use his first Christmas speech to underline the importance of families coming together.

In a year that saw a Platinum Jubilee followed by the biggest outpouring of public grief, when the Queen passed, since the death of Princess Diana – the theme for 2022 has been one of unity.

To everyone’s surprise, it was the Royal Family that provided the tonic for a nation weary of the divisions and isolation of the past few years.

When the country tunes in to watch the annual address from the monarch this year, a piece of television history will be made.

Millions will watch for the first time as the Christmas Day speech is delivered by someone other than the woman who was, for so many, one of the family.

Charles’ message will be rooted in the sense that we have all lost a central figure in our lives, but the show must, and will, go on.

It’s hard to imagine what it will be like for Harry to listen to his father’s words without reflecting on how things have turned out.

Ironically, he will not be surrounded by the rest of the royals as they come together to face their first Christmas without the Queen.