For the seventh consecutive year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will celebrate Christmas an ocean away from the traditional royal gathering at Sandringham. The couple, now based in Montecito, California, are not believed to have received an invitation to join King Charles and the wider family for the festive period, a situation that underscores the enduring rift within the House of Windsor.
A Festive Scene Worlds Apart
The last time Harry participated in a Sandringham Christmas was in 2018, the same year he married Meghan. Since their seismic step back from royal duties in 2020, their December 25th celebrations have transformed entirely. This year, as the King hosts relatives at the Norfolk estate, Harry will be at home with Meghan, their children Archie and Lilibet, and Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward highlighted the stark contrast between the two celebrations. At Sandringham, the family would partake in time-honoured rituals: opening presents on Christmas Eve, attending a morning church service, enjoying a traditional lunch, and a Boxing Day pheasant shoot. In sunny California, the Sussexes have embraced American 'happy holidays' customs.
Montecito Traditions vs. Royal Protocol
"They will have picked a tree from the rows upon rows of Christmas pines in one of the local stores," Ingrid Seward told the Mirror. "Their house will be decorated, and the yard strung with festive lights." She noted that while wealthy Montecito residents often hire interior designers, Meghan, who portrays herself as an all-American homemaker, likely decorates herself, even making a traditional gingerbread house.
The biographer also revealed that the couple had declined an alternative invitation to spend Christmas at Althorp with Earl Spencer, formerly known as Uncle Charles. Meghan has expressed a desire for Archie and Lilibet to build "connective memories" of American traditions like Thanksgiving and leaving out "carrots for the reindeer."
The Sticking Points Behind the Snub
Despite Harry's expressed wish to reconcile with his father, several factors made a Sandringham invitation improbable. The Duke's strained relations with Prince William and other senior royals create an undeniably awkward dynamic. Furthermore, Harry's own public statements, including that the UK is "too dangerous" to visit with his family, have not helped bridge the gap.
"King Charles would have loved the opportunity to see his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet," Seward explained, "but he knew inviting Harry and Meghan would have been awkward for the rest of the family. So, there was no official invitation."
Title Troubles and Commercial Concerns
The situation has been complicated by ongoing scrutiny of Meghan's use of her royal title. Despite the 2020 agreement for the Sussexes to become financially independent and not use their HRH styles, Meghan has continued to be referred to as the Duchess of Sussex in professional settings.
A recent Harper's Bazaar interview revealed she was introduced by the title by a house manager in a private meeting, a move described by broadcaster Helena Chard as "bizarre" and highlighting the importance Meghan attaches to her royal status. British journalist Jane Moore has criticised the couple for continuing to "rinse their royal connections for their own commercial gain" despite their quest for independence.
As the bells ring out at St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning, the King will be surrounded by working royals, continuing a public tradition centuries old. Meanwhile, in Montecito, a different, private family celebration will unfold—a vivid symbol of a division that, for now, shows no sign of a festive thaw.
