Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in for a “lonely Christmas”, a royal commentator has claimed – although 2024 could see a change of tack for the couple.
Speaking to GB News, US-based expert Kinsey Schofield claimed the Sussexes may not have “much laughter” in their home after a tumultuous 2023 for the royals on both sides of the pond. She added that Prince Harry could well be missing aspects of his old royal life over the festive season.
It comes as the couple reportedly plans to make 2024 their “year of redemption”. This includes both a potential move to Hollywood and a return to the silver screen for the Duchess, but also an effort to thaw relationships with the Firm.
Ms Schofield pointed out that based on Meghan’s past work on her food and lifestyle blog The Tig, she appears to “love being in the kitchen” and will likely be making “Christmas cookies” with the children.
But she added: “If you watch the Netflix series their holidays are really quite lonely in comparison to the Royal Family. I imagine its going to be a small, intimate affair.
“I don’t know how much laughter will be there based on the kind of chaotic year they’ve had – but I assume it’s going to be a quiet affair in Montecito.”
Asked if Harry might miss the pomp and ceremony of the Royal Family Christmas, including heading to their retreat in Sandringham, she said: “I have heard that he’s lonely and that he misses certain elements of his old life – and I do believe the castle full of cousins is one of them.”
She added that King Charles’s modernisation of the Royal Family means “some of the stuffiness that Harry complains about might be slowly disappearing in some aspects”.
According to Page Six, Harry and Meghan are likely to give the King a buzz to wish him a Merry Christmas from them and their children, Archie and Lilibet. The US outlet quoted a well-placed source as saying: “Harry and Meghan’s new strategy is reconciliation.”
A source told US Weekly: “They’ve actually been shocked by how popular she [Meghan] is. Her team has never seen anything like it. There’s this perception that Harry and Meghan have been snubbed in the entertainment industry.”
They added: “But the way they see it, they’re choosing quality over quantity instead of grabbing every opportunity that comes their way.”
Speaking at the Power of Women gala in LA last month, Meghan said the couple have “so many exciting things on the slate”.
“I can’t wait until we can announce them, but I’m just really proud of what we’re creating,” she shared. “My husband is loving it too, which is really fun.”
Harry will be busy preparing for the Invictus Games in Canada next year and is also said to be preparing to speak more about his time in Royal Family. Meanwhile, Meghan is reportedly “laser focused” on the Achewell Foundation but also “100 percent more interested in directing and being behind the camera”.
