Meghan Markle recently touched on her plans for the upcoming festive period, prompting speculation that her comments were a dig at the Royal Family’s traditional celebrations.
Since stepping down from their royal duties in 2020, Meghan, 43, and Prince Harry, 40, have celebrated Christmas independent of royal traditions, which was rare for Harry prior to their departure.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have now forged their own festive customs at their Montecito home where they have spent the holiday season for the past four years, contrasting starkly with the ceremonial church service, formal dinner on Christmas Eve, and grand lunch associated with the Windsor’s festivities.
Speaking with Marie Claire, the Duchess expressed her fondness for Christmas, noting “every year it gets better” as her children, five year old Prince Archie and three year old Princess Lilibet, grow to appreciate the season more, the Express reports.
She revealed that their celebrations in the US are “always pretty low-key”, often shared with her mother, Doria Ragland. The remarks came amidst reports that the couple did not receive an invitation to join the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas.
Prince Harry last joined the Sandringham gathering in 2018. A royal commentator suggests that being omitted from the guest list and spending another year apart from his family during the holidays might cause Prince Harry emotional “hurt”.
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An insider divulged to OK! that the holiday is likely to highlight the physical and emotional distance from his relatives. A source has revealed: “For Harry, it reminds him that he doesn’t have any of his side of the family to celebrate with.
“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. It may well even hurt seeing all the royals together, going to church and just enjoying each other’s company”.
Despite the rift with his brother Prince William following the publication of his memoir ‘Spare’ in 2023, Prince Harry maintains contact with his father King Charles. They are expected to catch up over the phone during the festive period.
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