THE Queen made no reference to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in her Christmas day message.

The 95-year-old monarch praised Prince Charles, Camilla, and Prince William and Kate for their climate activism, but did not mention Prince Andrew or the Sussexes.

Prince Harry and Meghan withdrew from royal duties last year, a series of revelations about the couple then came out later during their interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Accusations of racism forced the Queen to pointedly claim that "recollections may vary" as she issued a plea to deal with their issues privately as a family.

Though it is thought that Her Majesty has invited the couple to a service of thanksgiving for the Duke of Edinburgh’s life.

During her broadcast to the nation, the Queen praised Charles, Camilla, William and Kate for their climate activism.

Speaking from Windsor Castle, she said: "I am proud beyond words that his (Philip’s) 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."

Adding: "Although it’s a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. This year, especially, I understand why."

The monarch said of Philip: "His sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible.

"That mischievous, enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end as when I first set eyes on him. But life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings. And as much as I and my family miss him, I know he would want us to enjoy Christmas."

Her Majesty did mention the birth of the Sussexes' youngest child Lilibet, who was born this year.

She acknowledged the impact of the new Covid variant, having cancelled her regular trip to Sandringham in order to spend Christmas at Windsor.

She said: "While Covid again means we can't celebrate quite as we may have wished, we can still enjoy the many happy traditions.

"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."

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