Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle May Find Christmas With the Royal Family ‘Too Awkward’
The Sussexes might not spend Christmas with the royal family despite returning to the UK.
When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their return to the UK, royal fans immediately wondered whether a family reunion, or at least Christmas at Sandringham, was on the cards. However, so far, the couple and the royal family have not reconciled, and the chances of them celebrating holidays together also seem bleak. Sources now say the unhealed rift between the two parties could make spending the festive season together “difficult”.
Sources claimed Harry and Markle would find it “too awkward and too difficult” to spend the holidays with the royal family. They are reportedly not expecting an invitation either. However, while Harry’s side of the family may not join the Sussexes’ festivities, Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, will join them for the celebrations. Royal expert Emily Nash said that spending Christmas with Ragland was “always the plan”.
Before the holidays move on to Christmas at the end of the year, several important occasions will precede it. The Sussexes will reportedly spend it privately. They will not join the rest of the royal family at The Cenotaph in London. As a military veteran, the moment will be emotional for the Duke of Sussex. Thanksgiving is at the end of the month, but Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are expected to attend school that week.
Last year, the family of four spent Christmas “cuddled up” at home. Wishing her readers well for the holidays, the Duchess of Sussex wrote, “I plan to spend today cuddled up with my family - maybe pajamas all day, some Scrabble or Sequence (or Candyland for the kids), music playing, candles flickering, dogs snoring, endless grazing; the laughter, the sidebars, the deep breaths (you know the ones), the fun, and the memories.”
Markle spent her first Christmas at Sandringham in 2017, a few months before she married Harry. “The family loved having her there. I think together, we had an amazing time,” Harry said via Hello! The couple last celebrated the holiday with the royal family in 2018. The following year, they rang in the festival in Canada with their newborn son. Soon after, they stepped away from the monarchy and celebrated their first Christmas in Montecito in 2020.
Rumors had circulated that the Sussexes might return to the US for Christmas. However, only time will tell what will unfold over the holiday season.
