Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to skip royal Christmas traditions has seemingly prompted a surprising response from King Charles.
Since stepping down as senior royals in January 2020 and relocating to the U.S., the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have celebrated Christmas in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
Their absence from Sandringham’s festive gatherings has left the British monarch visibly adjusting to the new family dynamic.
For the third year in a row, King Charles notably excluded any reference to Harry and Meghan in his annual Christmas message.
Royal commentator Jennie Bond told The Mirror, “Harry and Meghan have chosen a life separate from the rest of the Royal Family.”
She continued, “However, neither of his two previous Christmas messages have featured any photos of them either. So I don’t think anything significant can be inferred.”
Despite the public silence, Bond speculates that Charles may have reached out to his youngest son privately.
“It may be that he and the King exchanged some form of message at Christmas time,” she suggested, adding, “We simply don’t know, and it’s right that it remains private.”
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The commentator also emphasized Harry’s apparent focus on building a settled life in California with Meghan and their children.
As Harry and Meghan continue to distance themselves from royal traditions, their absence highlights the evolving nature of the monarchy.
King Charles, meanwhile, appears to handle the situation with a delicate balance between duty and familial ties.
Though the Sussexes remain a point of tension within the family, Charles’ subtle actions show an understanding of their chosen path.
The royal family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham carried on, underscoring their ability to adapt amid changing family dynamics.
Whether or not the King and his son exchanged holiday wishes, their relationship remains a private matter, shrouded in speculation.
This Christmas, the absence of family photos in Charles’ address was perhaps less a snub and more a reflection of the complex relationships within the monarchy.
