King Charles hosted an early Christmas lunch at Windsor Castle, extending invitations to members of the extended royal family.
Notable attendees included Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Lawrence, Prince Edward with his wife Sophie and daughter Lady Louise Windsor, and Zara and Mike Tindall. Princess Eugenie and Beatrice, accompanied by their husbands Jack Brooksbank and Eduardo Mapelli Mozzi, were also present. Other guests included Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and Peter Phillips.
The festive lunch, a private family event, brings together members who may not join the king at Sandringham during the holidays.
Royal enthusiasts were pleased to catch a glimpse of Lady Louise, currently studying English at St Andrews University in Scotland, as she has made few public appearances this year. The absence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from the royal family Christmas at Sandringham confirmed recent reports that the couple was not invited.
Sources suggest this exclusion is indicative of the Sussexes being considered outcasts within the royal family. Prince Harry's close friend, Hugh Grenier, also reportedly did not extend an invitation to the Sussexes for his upcoming wedding, signaling a broader trend.
Insiders reveal that a divide within the royal family has led to people taking sides, with Prince Harry believing that Prince William instigated snubs and social exclusions. While there are still individuals who maintain contact with Harry and Meghan, those loyal to the monarchy consider them off the list.
The power dynamics within the royal family, particularly involving Prince Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales, play a significant role in these exclusions. The source acknowledges the sadness among some insiders, reminiscing about the positive image Harry and Meghan once had. However, the negative attention and chaos surrounding the couple have led to a consensus that it's not worth maintaining connections with them.
In a recent turn of events, the Sussexes faced renewed scrutiny with the release of a book by royal biographer Omid Scobie. The Dutch version of the book, "Endgame," revealed Princess Katherine and King Charles as the individuals allegedly commenting on Archie's skin tone before his birth. Contrary to expectations, Harry and Meghan chose not to defend Charles and Kate against these allegations, opting for an uncharacteristic silence that has angered the monarchy, their allies, and the public.
Despite Meghan telling Harry that those turning against him aren't real friends, the couple's unpopularity has reportedly led to their exclusion from celebrating Christmas with the UK royal family, emphasizing the perceived closure of the British aristocracy's door on them.
