King's Speech: Charles Odds-On To Mention Prince Harry In Christmas Broadcast

King Charles will deliver his third Christmas broadcast later this month and UK betting sites have been busy speculating what it might include. 

While there has been plenty to celebrate in 2024, the year has also been overshadowed by two major conflicts - between Israel and Hamas, and Russia and Ukraine. 

Such events are likely to be mentioned by the King, as is an issue close to Charles' heart - climate change. 

Charles has been a huge advocate for environmental issues for years now and he's unlikely to stop anytime soon. 

What's more, family tends to play a big part in the festive message, but will the King extend an olive branch to his son, Prince Harry? 

Charles' Festive Gesture 

King Charles is just 8/11 to namecheck Harry in his Christmas speech, but it's a juicy 10/1 that he mentions Harry's wife, Duchess Meghan by name. 

The Duke of Sussex stepped back from Royal Family duties in 2020 to start a new life in Los Angeles with Meghan, but there have been some indications this year that Harry could rejoin the Royal Family sooner rather than later. 

One such instance came in September when Charles and Queen Camilla, and Harry's brother Prince William and his wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, wished him a happy 40th birthday on their social media accounts - after radio silence on such Royal accounts for his 39th birthday. 

King Charles To Mention In Christmas 2024 Speech Odds

There could be a further breakthrough in terms of Harry rejoining the Royal Family if Charles mentions him in his Christmas broadcast - but it could be a risky move for the King. 

Royal expert Emily Andrews told Woman Magazine: "The King also does not want to create drama at Christmas with his other son, Prince William.

"I know from speaking to my own sources that if the King does talk to Harry about a possible return to royal life, it would need to involve William and that may jeopardise his good rapport with his elder son."

Charles To Touch On Conflicts

The King is also likely to touch on the two major conflicts that have dominated many a news agenda this year. 

It's 4/5 on betting apps that Charles mentions either Palestine or Israel and it's Evens he references Ukraine. 

What's more, it's 4/7 he speaks about climate change and 10/11 that the NHS gets a mention. 

Charles has been receiving treatment as an outpatient for an undisclosed form of cancer this year after he was diagnosed in February. 

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Despite this, he has returned to some public duties, including hosting a State Banquet for the Emir of Qatar on Tuesday alongside his wife Queen Camilla, who has recently been battling a chest infection and told guests that it was a form of pneumonia. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales were in attendance to welcome the Emir of Qatar earlier on Tuesday. 

It marked Princess Catherine's most significant Royal engagement since she started cancer treatment - after confirming in March she had been diagnosed with an unknown form of cancer - but she missed the State Banquet in the evening. 

King's Sporting Nod 

This year also featured several huge sporting events which the King could mention in his broadcast. 

It's just 3/1 that he talks about the Paris Olympics and 4/1 for Euro 2024 to get a mention, while the Eurovision Song Contest is 6/1. 

Charles' second Christmas broadcast, last year, was the most-watched Christmas Day TV moment. 

But the King looks set to lose that crown this year, because the last-ever episode of BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey is a massive 1/10 favourite to take that title. 

It seems unlikely, if Charles wants to inject some comedy into his speech to lighten things up, he could include a playful mention of the rivalry. 

While it's a 50/1 outsider that he mentions Gavin & Stacey, the programme's co-creator James Corden - who plays Smithy in the show - is a 10/1 chance to present Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message this year. 

Zelenskyy's Christmas Address? 

Channel 4 has broadcast the Alternative Christmas Message since 1993 and it acts as a change from the traditional Christmas broadcast performed by the monarch. 

In some years, the channel has gone for a comical take for its alternative message, but other times have been more serious. 

Last year, TV presenter Stephen Fry addressed the rising tide of antisemitism around the world, while a year earlier an AI robot, Ameca, presented the Alternative Christmas Message. 

But in 2018, former EastEnders actor Danny Dyer had viewers in hysterics as he referred to US President Donald Trump as an "absolute melt" and he spoke about the "palava" in the UK Parliament. 

Who Will Present Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message 2024 Odds

It's not yet been confirmed who will present this year's message, but if Channel 4 are going down the serious route then Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could be a worthy 5/4 favourite. 

The channel has touched heavily on the Israel-Palestine divide, so it would be no surprise if the likes of Countdown co-host Rachel Riley - a vocal supporter of Israel and an advocate against antisemitism - got the nod at 15/8, while Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham is 5/2. 

What's more, Palestinian activist Basel Adra is 2/1, the same price as Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef, a vocal supporter of Palestine. 

Hip hop trio Kneecap, who hail from Northern Ireland, were recently in the headlines after they triumphed in a legal battle against former business secretary Kemi Badenoch. 

The new government found it was "unlawful" to refuse them £14,250 in funding and they are now 4/1 to deliver the Alternative Christmas Message. 

But if Channel 4 is going down a more comedic route for their alternative message, comedian and activist Joe Lycett (13/8) could be their man, or even fellow funnyman Jack Whitehall (8/1). 

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.