XmlSerializer Serialize empty variable to use both tags?

Question

I want to be able to load a serialized xml class to a Soap Envelope. I am starting so I am not filling the innards so it appears like:

Answer 1

Note for the record: The OP was using the ***Microsoft.***Web.Services.SoapEnvelope class, which is part of the extremely obsolete WSE 1.0 product. This class derived from the XmlDocument class, so it's possible that the same issues would have been seen with XmlDocument.

Under no circumstances should WSE be used for any new development, and if it is already in use, the code should be migrated as soon as possible. WCF or ASP.NET Web API are the only technologies that should be used for .NET web services going forward.