Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are believed to be putting the final touches to their Christmas arrangements, with the couple expected to celebrate the festive season in their Californian home.
Amidst their silence on specific holiday plans, it’s thought that the duo will enjoy Christmas at their Montecito residence along with Meghan’s mother Doria, and their two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
In a candid discussion with a style publication, Meghan expressed her affection for the holidays, noting her children’s growing appreciation of the festivities. Despite anticipating a joyful day, the couple—having stepped down from senior Royal duties in 2020—harbours a collective unattainable Christmas wish.
As disclosed by an insider to OK! Magazine: “They both really wish that they could have all their families together and have a huge Christmas but they know that will never happen. So they have to make new memories and traditions with their children and those close to them.”
The forthcoming celebrations mark the sixth year in succession that Prince Harry is away from the Royal Family during the holiday, his last Christmas with them being at Sandringham in 2018—the same year he wed Meghan in a high-profile ceremony in Windsor.
Harry, who stepped back as a senior Royal in 2020, has not celebrated Christmas Day in the UK since then. A source revealed to OK! magazine that the physical distance is likely having an emotional impact on the prince due to the gap it creates between his children and their relatives.
They shared: “The kids won’t be seeing their cousins, and that was one of his favourite things growing up – all the cousins playing together at Sandringham.”
Adding to the heartache, seeing the Royal Family’s festive gatherings could be painful: “It may well even hurt seeing all the royals together, going to church and just enjoying each other’s company”.
Despite this, Prince Harry reportedly turned down an invitation from Charles Spencer to join the holiday celebrations at Althorp House, Princess Diana’s childhood home, although he remains close to his uncle.
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