The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are reportedly making early plans to spend the festive season in the UK, which would mark their first Christmas in Britain since 2019.
Harry and Meghan have spent every festive season since then in the United States, away from the Royal Family's annual Sandringham gathering. However, in August, the Sussexes, along with their children, moved back to Britain following six years living in California, with their children now attending a British school.
Plans to Stay in the UK
According to Hello!, the couple are making plans to remain in the UK for the festive season, with Meghan's mother, Doria, travelling to be with them. The plans are still to be confirmed, but if they do stay, it would be the first time that Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Princess Lilibet have spent Christmas in their father's home country.
Despite potentially staying put, it is not thought they would spend any of Christmas at Sandringham. Sources previously told The Times that it would be "too awkward" and the Sussexes were not expecting an invitation. The Mirror has contacted Harry and Meghan's spokespeople for comment.
Last Christmas at Sandringham
Harry and Meghan last spent Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family in 2018, when Meghan was pregnant with Archie. They also spent the previous year at Sandringham.
It had previously been reported that they were expected to head back to Montecito for Christmas, as they still retain their house there.
Stepping Back from the Spotlight
The news comes after the Sussexes stepped out of the public spotlight in recent weeks during the King's Caribbean tour, after claims that Harry was 'mindful' of not distracting from it. Charles' nine-day tour to the Bahamas, Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda had its final day today. Traditionally, royals are careful not to undertake high-profile visits or appearances that would overshadow another's work, especially state visits carried out by the King.
Last month, Harry and Meghan made their first joint public appearance together since moving back to the UK in Nottingham, on the same day that the King and Queen opened the Welsh Parliament. However, while Charles was in the Caribbean, the Sussexes did not make any public appearances and spent time with their children during the half-term holidays. It is believed they do have one more public event together planned before the end of the year.
A source close to the couple said: "Harry doesn't set out with an intention to try to pull focus or draw attention away from what his father is doing or what his brother is doing. That's never his intention at all, but obviously for him to be able to mitigate against that he does need to have decent foresight of what's coming up." The insider claimed that the Sussexes aren't always informed in advance of events and are unable to withdraw from commitments so they do not disappoint charities.
It comes weeks after the King made it clear the Sussexes will remain private citizens and are "on their own" despite their move back to the UK in the summer. In a firm letter issued on behalf of Charles, it stated that the Sussexes should not use their HRH styles, which are still in abeyance, and that they "do not represent the sovereign" while out making public appearances.
