Prince Harry’s Christmas celebrations have undergone a dramatic transformation from grand Royal gatherings at Sandringham to intimate festivities in California with Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Sussexes, who now spend the holiday season in their Montecito home, have welcomed only one family member, Meghan’s mother Doria, in recent years.
During a solo appearance, Meghan shared insights into their Christmas plans, which include a sumptuous meal, fun games, and possibly a musical singalong accompanied by a guitar.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward contrasted this with Harry’s past Christmases, which he once considered the “golden ticket” – filled with family present exchanges on Christmas Eve, church services, traditional lunches, and the Boxing Day pheasant shoot, all peppered with party games and merriment.
Speaking to the Mirror, Ingrid said: “The present opening on Christmas Eve with his extended family and then church and traditional Christmas lunch the next day. Then the Boxing Day pheasant shoot and in between loads of party games and drinking.”
She noted that since marrying Meghan in 2018, Harry has celebrated Christmas at Sandringham only once, in December of that year, and has since adopted the ‘happy holidays’ customs of his new homeland, with Doria being the sole relative joining them in California.
Ingrid added: “They will have picked a tree from the rows upon rows of Christmas pines in one of the local stores. Their house will be decorated, and the yard (garden) strung with festive lights. The wealthy residents of Montecito hire interior designers to decorate their houses and trees to perfection.”
“It would not look good if Meghan who publicises herself as the all-American homemaker was to hire someone to adorn their house and decorate their tree. She will have done it herself and made the gingerbread house as is traditional in America.”
While Harry and Meghan were busy prepping their Californian home with holiday cheer and homemade gingerbread constructs, their kin on the other side of the pond were descending upon Sandringham for the age-old Royal festivities.
Yet, an olive branch for festivities seemed conspicuously absent for the Sussex pair amid what has been a heart-wrenching period for King Charles.
“Back at Sandringham it will have been the traditional Christmas UK style that Harry knows so well.
“King Charles would have loved the opportunity to see his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet, but he knew inviting Harry and Meghan would have been awkward for the rest of the family. So, there was no official invitation,” Ingrid added.
“Harry and Meghan were invited for Christmas at Althorp with thrice-married Uncle Charles, now Earl Spencer, but have decided to stay in California.
“Meghan says it’s important for her that Archie and Lilibet can have ‘connective memories’ of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy the traditions like putting out ‘carrots for the reindeer.'”.
