Prince Harry and Meghan Markle May Make an Unexpected Return to the US for Christmas
Harry's strained ties with his father and brother, since he left royal duties in 2020, still persist.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent Christmas 2019 in Vancouver, Canada, right before 'Megxit.' The couple returned to the UK in August after six years in the US, sparking rumors of a royal reunion this Christmas as they settled in the Cotswolds. However, latest reports suggest history may repeat itself, as their relationship with the royal family continues to remain estranged.
The Sussexes may try to "keep their heads down between now and Christmas, when they will go back to California for the holidays," a close friend claimed. They are reportedly planning to spend school holidays and half-term breaks in either California or Portugal, The Mirror reported.
Meanwhile, a palace insider suggested that the Duke and the Duchess will not join King Charles III and the extended royal family for traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham amid ongoing tensions between Harry and William. They have no plans to join King Charles III and the extended family for their traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, Page Six reported. "There is a hierarchy," the insider highlighted. "And the King is the CEO; he’s the boss—what he says go, so it’s better not to put themselves in any difficult position."
The Sussexes were last seen during Sandringham celebrations in 2018. Reports suggest they may spend this year's holidays at their cottage in Northamptonshire or return to California, where Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, is expected to join them. This decision is influenced by the ongoing tensions between Harry and his family, aiming to avoid uncomfortable situations during the holidays.
It also comes as royal experts dismiss rumors that the Sussexes plan to apologize to William and Kate to resolve their longstanding feud. Harry’s strained ties with his father and brother have remained in the spotlight since he stepped back from royal duties in 2020, with the couple publicly voicing their grievances through their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and the Duke’s memoir Spare.
However, the couple's Montecito neighbors wouldn't especially be thrilled if they returned to the US for the holiday season. "Montecito is a very private, peaceful place, and I think a lot of people here will be happy to see things go back to being a little quieter," an insider had commented on their departure. Only time will tell where the Sussexes really end up during the holiday season.
