Fans question why Meghan, Harry and Archie are missing from the Queen’s Christmas speech

Fans have questioned why Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and their son Archie are missing from the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast.

Pictures released today show the monarch seated about to give her annual broadcast to the UK surrounded by members of her family. You can see the Cambridge family - her grandson William and Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis, her son Prince Charles and Camilla and lastly her husband, Prince Philip. Looking at the collection of photos, it's very obvious that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex together with baby Archie are not included. Of course, there are a number of possible explanations - the Cambridge family Christmas card 2019 features after it was leaked online last week and perhaps the Sussex version wasn't finalised at the time of the photo as it was only released last night. It could also be because Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George are all heirs to the throne whereas Prince Harry is not a direct successor.

Let’s not fake outrage with the pic of the Queen with Meghan and Harry. She legit only has pics of the line of succession. Move on with your day.

— 96 Hov (@staybalanced_) December 24, 2019

Whatever the reasons, fans are determined to get the bottom of it and have been very vocal on social media, leaving comments on Instagram and Twitter querying the absence of the Sussex family.

I demand to know where Harry and Meghan's picture made off to! It's not on the Queen's desk. ?

— Kim Murphy (@kmpossiblemke) December 24, 2019

Nice of the queen to have the cambridges on display in her speech but not harry and meghan,favouritism?? Any other less favourable undertone?? ???

— ⚽️?unbearable loulou_lfc?⚽️European/World champs (@xo_booboo_xo) December 24, 2019

Some have suggested that given the rumours of a rift between Harry, Meghan and the rest of the royals, now would have been a good time to include them, especially as it's Archie's first Christmas.

This year of all years you’d think the Queen would have included a picture of Harry and Meghan as well. Just fuels speculation. They don’t help themselves do they ? #QueensChristmasMessage ?

— Samta Clause The Wise ?️‍?? (@SamWiseSW) December 24, 2019

Let’s not fake outrage with the pic of the Queen with Meghan and Harry. She legit only has pics of the line of succession. Move on with your day.

— 96 Hov (@staybalanced_) December 24, 2019

Ohhhhh shit the queen posted a pic & the photo frames all have pics of family EXCEPT Harry, Meghan & Archie.

— jackie (@JackieWarner13) December 24, 2019

harry, meghan, & archie’s christmas card photo isn’t on the queen’s desk with will and kate’s and i don’t trust that woman for a damn second

— kathryn (@florencewelches) December 24, 2019

There's probably nothing to it but that hasn't stopped the speculation which seems likely to continue given the Sussex family's decision to spend "some private family time" in Canada this festive season,  while the rest of the royal family continue the annual tradition of visiting the Queen at her Sandringham residence.