King Charles did not mention the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in his speech - Victoria Jones/PA
King Charles did not mention the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in his speech - Victoria Jones/PA

We don't know if the King agonized over a potential mention of the Duke and the duchess in his first Christmas broadcast.

He might have sent a silent message by not acknowledging them.

To multicultural Britain and those of all faiths, this was a personal tribute.

Senior members of the family were shown conducting their own public duties in all four corners of the UK.

The heir to the throne and his wife were the only ones mentioned.

The reference to the Prince and Princess of Wales was meant to remind people that the institution would always change.

They are no longer a part of that institution. The landscape has irreversibly changed since the King and his mother insisted that the couple remain part of the family.

The Royal family has been the target of personal attacks from California and the prospect of reconciliation has waned.

In the second part of the documentary, the Duke of Sussex claimed that palace aides lied to protect other members of the Royal family and that they were bullied out of public duties.

Buckingham Palace didn't react to the series in any way, as aides chose to rise above the din, knowing that the mildest reaction would only serve to fan the flames.

The Royal family had no time or inclination to respond to this unseemly airing of dirty laundry, as they were getting on with the job.

The King focused on the good work done by his family and the nation as a whole in his Christmas message, rather than focusing on1-65561-65561-65561-6556 or1-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-65561-6556

The King made his first address to the nation just hours after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

He spoke of being a loving son, husband and father.

He said he wanted to express his love for Harry and his wife as they continued to build their lives overseas.

The King focused on the future.

He chose not to surround himself with framed family photographs as he delivered his first Christmas message in a clear break from tradition.

Video footage was used to show the work of senior members of the Royal family.

As O Little Town of Bethlehem was performed by the choir of St George's Chapel, footage was shown of the King, Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The general format of the broadcast was the same as it has been for decades.

The late Queen looked to the future and wanted to deliver a message of hope.

She paid tribute to her "beloved Philip", the Duke of Edinburgh, as she spoke of the comfort she has found in "passing the baton" of their values on to the next generations.

Queen Elizabeth II paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh in her final Christmas message - Victoria Jones/PA

Her son would pay tribute to his mother when he took on that baton.

Last year, the late Queen used the annual message to highlight her own deep Christian faith, using the birth of a child as a "new dawn with endless potential".

The King's faith is a central part of his identity.

His commitment to all religions was echoed by the fact that he was focused on all faiths.

Charles promised religious leaders during a Buckingham Palace reception that he would uphold the numerous "religions, cultures, traditions and beliefs to which our hearts and minds direct us".

The King is expected to acknowledge that he serves all religions and not just the Church of England.