In a surprising turn of events, King Charles has reportedly sent out invitations for the Royal Family’s annual Christmas gathering at Sandringham, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are not on the list. This snub has sparked widespread speculation, with insiders suggesting that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are being left out of this year’s royal festivities.
According to Daily Express, while Harry and Meghan may not be joining the royals, they have received an invitation to celebrate Christmas with the Spencer family at Althorp. The Spencer estate holds significant sentimental value for Prince Harry, as it was his late mother, Princess Diana’s, family home. Despite the invitation from his relatives, a source has revealed that the couple is unlikely to travel to the UK this year.
The source stated, “Harry and Meghan are not going to spend Christmas with the Spencers or the Royal Family this year.” They went on to explain that one of the major reasons behind their decision revolves around concerns for their children’s safety.
“It’s just not an option with the children at the moment due to what’s been going on with their security,” the insider shared, alluding to ongoing tension over the Sussexes’ security arrangements since their exit from royal duties.
This snub comes amid growing speculation about the strained relations between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the Royal Family. Since their departure from royal life in 2020, tensions have remained high, particularly after the release of Harry’s memoir Spare and the couple’s tell-all interviews. These events appear to have widened the gap between the Sussexes and the senior royals.
Meanwhile, the Sandringham Christmas gathering is expected to be a grand affair, with King Charles and Queen Camilla hosting their children and grandchildren. Last year, the event was a great success when it was held in the ballroom for the first time, and this year will follow a similar format, according to insiders.
“There will be a large number of people present at this year’s dinner,” the source revealed. “It was trailed in the ballroom for the first time last year and proved a big success, so this year will be held in a similar fashion.”
Princess Beatrice, who is expecting her second child, will reportedly make her debut at the event, proudly displaying her baby bump.
This will also mark the first time Beatrice’s daughter, Sienna, joins the royal festivities. The occasion is sure to be one filled with joy, laughter, and family unity—something that, for now, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle seem to be watching from the sidelines.
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While some may view Harry and Meghan’s absence as a continuation of the rift between them and the rest of the Royal Family, others suggest the couple is simply choosing to focus on their new life in the US. With two young children, Archie and Lilibet, and ongoing professional ventures, including their Netflix and Spotify projects, Harry and Meghan have carved out a new path, one that doesn’t always include royal traditions.
Their potential plans to spend Christmas with the Spencer family at Althorp, though unlikely, would offer them a connection to Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana. However, given the current security issues and personal matters, it seems this alternative Christmas option is off the table for now.
For the rest of the Royal Family, Christmas at Sandringham remains a cherished tradition, full of pageantry and togetherness. King Charles, in his first year as monarch following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, will be leading the celebration, marking a new era for the royal festivities. It’s clear that while Harry and Meghan will be absent, the gathering will still carry on with a full house of senior royals.
As the festive season approaches, all eyes will be on both the Sussexes and the Royal Family. Will there ever be a Christmas reunion for Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the royals? For now, it seems unlikely, but in the ever-evolving world of royal relations, anything is possible.
