Prince Harry’s absence from the royal family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham this year appears all but certain, despite his recent meeting with his father, King Charles. Although no official confirmation has been made, it is widely believed that Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children will spend the festive season at their Montecito home in California rather than joining the royal family for the traditional holiday gathering. This would mark the seventh consecutive year the Duke of Sussex has missed the royal festivities, dating back to his decision to step away from royal life in 2020.
The news of Harry and Meghan’s continued exclusion from Sandringham may not be shocking, considering their strained relationship with the royal family in recent years. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, delivered a blunt assessment, stating, “They are not likely to be missed!” Fitzwilliams further remarked that, as the royal family faces health challenges, particularly with King Charles undergoing cancer treatment and Catherine in remission, the Sussexes’ absence will be noticeable, yet unsurprising. “Given the erratic and destructive behavior since Megxit, they won’t be missed,” he added.
Although Harry and Meghan may find comfort in their quiet Christmas in California, the expert speculates that Harry, in particular, might reflect on past Christmases at Sandringham with some nostalgia. Fitzwilliams pointed out that Harry writes fondly of these memories in his memoir Spare, despite the controversial revelations about his family dynamics. With King Charles’s health in focus this year, it is likely that Harry’s thoughts will occasionally drift to those cherished family moments, even if they are no longer part of his present life.
The Sussexes’ last Christmas at Sandringham was in 2018, before the birth of their son, Archie. Since then, their children, six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet, have never spent Christmas with their British relatives. Fitzwilliams called this absence “sad but inevitable,” given the ongoing rifts between Harry and some members of the royal family. These tensions have been further exacerbated by the couple’s public criticisms, including their explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, the 2022 Harry & Meghan Netflix docuseries, and Harry’s controversial memoir.
As Christmas approaches, the question remains who will be present at Sandringham this year. With Harry and Meghan continuing to chart their own path in California, their absence serves as a stark reminder of the fractured state of the royal family. While Harry may long for the past, the reality of his present situation with the royals seems far removed from the warmth of those Christmas memories.
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