Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could face an awkward decision over where to spend Christmas following their shock return to the UK. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are preparing to relocate to Britain with their children, Archie and Lilibet, but the move does not automatically mean they will be welcomed back into every royal family gathering.
No Balmoral invitation expected
Harry and Meghan are not expected to join the royals at Balmoral this summer, despite the family gathering at the Scottish estate following news of their return. King Charles and Queen Camilla have been joined in Scotland by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and their daughter Lady Louise, were also seen attending a service at Crathie Kirk on Sunday. Buckingham Palace has rejected suggestions that the gathering was arranged in response to Harry and Meghan's return, with the family's annual Balmoral stay understood to have been planned months ago.
No royal summit over the Sussexes
There has also reportedly been no royal "summit" over the Sussexes, despite their return becoming a topic of conversation among members of the family. Harry and Meghan's move is understood to be approaching quickly, with Archie and Lilibet reportedly already enrolled at a British school ahead of the new academic year.
However, their return could create a potentially uncomfortable situation when Christmas arrives. According to The Telegraph, Harry and Meghan moving back to Britain does not guarantee they will receive an invitation to spend Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham.
King decides on Christmas guest list
Invitations to the traditional festive gathering are personally decided by the King, meaning the Sussexes will have to wait to discover whether they are included. The couple will also return as private individuals rather than working members of the Royal Family, despite once again living in Harry's home country.
It means Harry and Meghan could find themselves back in Britain this Christmas but outside one of the Royal Family's biggest annual gatherings, unless the King decides to extend an invitation.
