Home / Latest News / Meghan Markle

'Christmas Tension': Prince Harry Says He Misses 'Weird Family Gatherings' With the Royals During Festive Season

Despite recent 'tension,' Prince Harry reportedly misses 'weird family gatherings' with the royals.

prince harry
The Duke of Sussex has not attended Christmas with the royal family since 2018. Source: MEGA

Prince Harry has not spent Christmas with the royal family since 2018, but allegedly misses "weird family gatherings" at Sandringham.

"Harry always enjoyed large family Christmases. It’s a shame that his children will miss out on the fun," a source spilled.

prince harry

"He used to say that nobody could celebrate Christmas like the Windsors. He experienced that festive togetherness for his entire life until his move to America, and he really misses it. The Christmas plans are causing a bit of tension because he’s fed up with being away from everyone during key milestones," the insider pointed out.

The British royal family typically spends Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk, in a tradition revived by Queen Elizabeth II in the late 1980s after spending the festive season at Windsor Castle for years. Harry and Meghan Markle spent the 2017 and 2018 festive seasons with the royals but decided to spend Christmas 2019 with the former actress' mother, Doria Ragland.

prince harry

This follows the Sussex family's recent phone call with King Charles on his 75th birthday, where Meghan also chatted with the monarch. The pair also sent the sovereign a video of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Diana, who sang "Happy Birthday" for their estranged granddad.

Although the talk reportedly went well, the media buildup around Harry's invitation to celebrate his father's birthday and the subsequent leaking of chat details did not sit well with many royal analysts.

"Harry and Meghan fight for privacy when it suits them, and yet the minute Harry gets on the phone to the King, it’s in a newspaper," a royal source dished, while also labeling the Montecito pair as "total hypocrites."

A source close to the California royals told an outlet that, despite headlines framing it otherwise, Harry and Meghan had nothing to do with the details of the talk leaking to the media. But for many, the damage has already been done, and it will take more than a phone call to repair how Britain views the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

prince harry

"It could certainly take years for a reconciliation to happen between Prince Harry and the royal family," royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams dished. "Who would trust Harry and Meghan, especially after their timing releasing the news about not hearing anything about an invite to King Charles' 75th birthday celebrations hours before the King's first speech opening Parliament as monarch."

He continued: "The rift runs deep. The Sussexes reportedly still want an apology from the royal family. What the future holds is uncertain. It is not a pleasant prospect for King Charles to deal with."

prince harry

Powered by RedCircle

The New York Post reported on the insider revelations.

GET BREAKING ROYAL NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

More Stories

While Andrew has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons, his encounter with an alleged stalker has left everyone scared.
By Medha Sengupta · AUG 7, 2026
Kate Middleton's latest Wimbledon outfit wasn't all-new—and that's exactly what caught fashion fans' attention!
By Mehak Walia · JUL 13, 2026
Getting invited to the Swift-Kelce wedding became a race, a status symbol, as numerous high-profile individuals lobbied to get an inside pass.
By Mary Anthony · JUL 6, 2026
Prince William joked about Travis Kelce’s most memorable moment being outside his football career.
By Mary Anthony · JUL 3, 2026
Princess Anne stepped out in this iconic dress from 1984 and royal fans are impressed!
By Hrishita Das · JUN 27, 2026
Kate Middleton and Melinda Gates reportedly came together at Windsor Castle over a shared passion for a cause they both support.
By Ira Deokule · JUN 25, 2026
Prince William and Robert Irwin's appearance at a climate event was meant to inspire change, but fans quickly focused on something else.
By Mary Anthony · JUN 24, 2026
Royal watchers may have spotted a subtle shift in the monarchy during Trooping the Colour 2026, and it's closely aligned with Prince William's long-term plans for the institution.
By Mary Anthony · JUN 13, 2026
As King Charles celebrates Trooping the Colour, actress Helen Mirren has been awarded one of Britain's rarest honors.
By Hrishita Das · JUN 13, 2026
Meghan Markle treats fans to a new family photo carousel featuring Prince Harry, Prince Lilibet, and a sweet nod to pop icon Beyoncé.
By Ira Deokule · JUN 10, 2026