What message the Queen is really sending out in her annual Christmas broadcast

As the Queen carries out her annual Christmas broadcast this year, amid the twinkling festive decorations and family photos some eagle-eyed viewers may notice something missing.

Filmed in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, Her Majesty makes reference to a "bumpy" year as she sits next to a clutch of framed family photos.

However, some notable royals are missing from the carefully curated display — specifically, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their young son, Archie.

The Queen's address alludes to a "bumpy" year, though it's unclear what she's referring to specifically, and could be anything from Brexit to the Prince Andrew Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

"The path, of course, is not always smooth, and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy, but small steps can make a world of difference," Her Majesty says.

Amongst the photographs that do feature, is a snap of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, to mark the 50th anniversary of His Highness' investiture, the Cambridges' holiday photo featuring The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and all three royal children, and a photograph of King George VI. Behind the royal, stands a photo of The Duke of Edinburgh from her private collection, and a photo of the Queen herself with the Apollo 11 astronauts at Buckingham Palace.

While there's no public knowledge of a falling out between the Sussexes and the Queen, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry has confirmed that they'll be breaking from tradition this year and spending Christmas abroad in Canada with little Archie.

The Windsors usually celebrate Christmas together at Sandringham Estate, playing parlour games, exchanging gag gifts and attending church service on the morning of December 25th.