Meghan Markle's Holiday Plans Revealed — and It Might Not Be Sandringham
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly have a plan in place for the holiday season amid ongoing tensions with the royal family.
The Sussexes may avoid awkward confrontation with the royal family during the holiday season by celebrating Christmas in either Portugal or the United States. If reports are to be believed, they haven’t been invited to Sandringham yet. Meanwhile, sources indicate that Meghan Markle has been creating the right ambiance for their December return to Montecito by staying in touch with her friends.
"She’s keeping busy, as she always does, and staying in close contact with her friends in Montecito," a source close to the Sussexes told People exclusively. "She does miss home — and her mom. They’re planning to come back for the holidays. Meghan’s looking forward to seeing her friends and making plans with them already."
The source continued by highlighting that the Duchess is focused on helping Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet adjust to their new home and school, demonstrating a positive attitude during this major transition. The source also noted that the children have adapted well, a development that has been Markle's top priority.
Markle has been making the most of her return to the UK; recently, her lifestyle brand, As Ever, launched its first holiday collection. This includes a festive Advent calendar, inspired by the family's Montecito home, designed in partnership with Los Angeles chocolatier Compartés. It features illustrations of the property and contains 24 chocolates, with countdown numbers in the Duchess' handwriting.
According to People, the Sussexes are planning to spend Christmas and Thanksgiving with Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, in California. This arrangement suggests they will not attend the traditional royal family gathering at King Charles’ estate in Norfolk for the holidays. “They know it would be too awkward and too difficult. They also know they’re not going to be invited, and they’re not waiting for an invitation,” a source told The Sunday Times. The couple last celebrated Christmas with the royal family in 2018, attending the traditional service at Sandringham with Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, and Kate Middleton.
Harry and Markle are expected to "keep their heads down between now and Christmas, when they will go back to California for the holidays", another close source told the Daily Mail. Another close friend explained that the couple does not want an awkward run-in with William and Kate since their feud is still ongoing.
This close friend mentioned that for Thanksgiving and Christmas, the family is willing to follow Doria's preferences, wanting her to visit the UK but also prepared to be wherever she chooses.
