Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning to return to California with their children for Christmas, despite moving back to the UK just two months ago. A friend of the couple told the Daily Mail that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to spend the festive period at their multi-million-dollar home in Montecito, California.
Plans to Spend Holidays in California
The source claimed Harry and Meghan are trying to "keep their heads down between now and Christmas, when they will go back to California for the holidays". The Sussexes unexpectedly relocated to the UK from California in late August. They stepped away from royal duties six years ago and remain non-working royals.
Speculation about the reasons for their return has included suggestions that they want their children to develop a closer relationship with their grandfather, King Charles III, and that Meghan may be considering a return to acting.
King's Stance on Working Royals
Ahead of their move, the King was said to be pleased at the prospect of spending more time with his family. However, he remained adamant that Harry and Meghan would not return as working royals.
The royal family traditionally spends December at the monarch's Sandringham residence in Norfolk. However, the report suggests the Sussexes will celebrate Christmas in California instead.
School Holidays and Paparazzi Incident
Harry and Meghan are also reportedly planning to spend school holidays and half-term breaks either in California or Portugal.
It comes after a spokesperson for the couple condemned international paparazzi who were seen looking into the grounds of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet's school in the UK last month. Two young men wearing backpacks and travelling in a white van were reportedly spotted by private security personnel and school staff walking around the perimeter of the school and monitoring children.
The spokesperson described the incident as an "unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children" and an "irresponsible and ill-considered" way to behave near a school.
