Prince Harry is set to miss another Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family as the rift with his family looks no closer to healing.
Opting out of the traditional Royal festivities, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to spend the yuletide season in California with their children and Meghan Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland.
Back in Britain, a considerable contingent of the monarchy, numbering around 45, will convene in Norfolk for the holiday celebrations.
Whilst Prince Harry won’t be counted amongst them, there could be a new face, as King Charles has extended a poignant invite to his stepson, Tom Parker-Bowles, marking his first appearance at this gathering.
Royal correspondent Richard Eden, sharing insights on the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential, observed: “It is very significant the fact that Tom will be there, perhaps his sister Laura as well, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet.
“Tom said his mother often suggested he joined them, but he’d always said no. To have the King’s stepson there, but not his son, is significant.”
Food critic Tom, in a recent chat with The Telegraph, divulged it was Queen Camilla herself who lobbied for his attendance this year, recalling: “My mum said, ‘I’d love you to come, I haven’t had Christmas with you for a long time’.”
Tom Parker-Bowles has revealed his usual Christmas routine involves spending the day with his ex-wife, former fashion editor Sara Buys, and their teenage children Lola and Frederick.
“For the past 15 years it has been: I go back to my ex-wife’s house, sit in my tracksuit bottoms, go to the pub while the beef’s in, then try to get my children to watch The Wild Geese. Classic. So this would be a bit different,” he said.
When asked about other family members attending or potential activities, Tom admitted: “I genuinely know nothing about it. “I know there’s turkey and sprouts and church. And I have to bring a suit and a dinner jacket.”
He also reflected on the importance of spending Christmas with his mum, acknowledging that it has been a challenging time for the King and Queen health-wise. Charles is undergoing cancer treatment, and the Queen is recovering from pneumonia following their trip to Australia and Samoa.
“It has been a hell of a two years for them,” he said. “The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it. ” This comes after Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson withdrew from the Sandringham celebrations amid controversy over his connections to an alleged Chinese spy.
It’s speculated that Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, the couple’s two daughters, will be spending Christmas Day with their respective in-laws. This suggests that Andrew and Sarah are likely to enjoy a quiet day together at Royal Lodge.