As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reflect on whether they’ll receive an invitation to the Royal Family’s holiday celebrations, what could have been a simple family reunion has become more of a drama-laden spectacle.
This annual season of royal festivities has instead turned into a period of speculation for the Sussexes, with questions surrounding their relationship with the rest of the family. Once welcomed into the royal fold, Harry and Meghan’s absence at Christmas gatherings has now become a familiar pattern, a stark contrast to the warm receptions of their early years.
In 2017 and 2018, Meghan joined the royal Christmas celebrations, endeavoring to adjust to the customs and responsibilities of the British monarchy. However, in 2019, the couple broke from tradition, choosing instead to celebrate their first Christmas as parents to Archie in the United States. Since then, the festive season has only underscored the distance between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family, with invitations becoming as unlikely as Harry sharing a casual polo match with his brother, Prince William.
As for this year’s festivities, it seems almost certain the Sussexes won’t make the guest list. The holiday season at Sandringham is now overseen by the royal family’s new leading pair, Prince William and Princess Catherine, who will be hosting the holiday at their Anmer Hall residence. King Charles, who has been managing his ongoing cancer treatment, is expected to have a quieter celebration, leaving the traditional Christmas gathering largely in the hands of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The guest list is anticipated to include Catherine’s family, while Harry and Meghan remain conspicuously absent, a reminder of the strained relationship that has only deepened since the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties.
The Sussexes’ decision to step down, coupled with their candid interviews, reality series, and documentary projects, has reportedly strained their bond with the family to the breaking point. For Harry and Meghan, this ongoing rift with the royals has meant missing out on Christmas at Sandringham for several years running. However, sources close to Harry reveal that he’s been hoping for an opportunity to reconcile with his family. After a recent trip to the UK, there are rumors that he’s open to spending Christmas with them for the first time since 2018. In fact, there’s even talk of an invitation extended by the Spencer family, who have reportedly offered to host Harry, Meghan, and their children at Althorp House.
Despite this potential holiday haven with the Spencers, Harry and Meghan still face significant security concerns, which have long been a point of contention between the Sussexes and the royal family. With the costs and complexities of providing adequate security, it seems likely the couple will spend another Christmas at their home in Montecito, California.
Complicating matters further, Meghan has a sentimental connection to the holiday season, cherishing family traditions and holiday rituals from her childhood. While she hopes to establish her own family customs, Harry finds himself torn, reminiscing about royal Christmases spent with his family. The unresolved tension surrounding their different visions for the holiday season is reportedly causing friction between the couple, adding a new layer of complexity to their plans.
Meghan’s ideal holiday centers around togetherness and creating new traditions in their California home, while Harry grapples with the emotional pull of his royal family. As he envisions a potential reunion at Sandringham, Meghan’s vision is far from the traditional royal Christmas of Harry’s past. This difference in priorities suggests that, while Harry may be nostalgic for his family’s Christmas, spending the holidays in England remains out of reach, leaving the Sussexes to navigate their own holiday traditions—half a world away from Sandringham.
