Prince Harry and Meghan Markle would be making a “big statement” if they have turned down an invitation to the Royal Family’s Christmas, a former butler for the Firm has said.
Offering insight into how the Royal Family’s Christmases are held, Grant Harrold told Slingo how the festive season is especially seen as a time for them “to be together”. But whether or not the Sussexes will be in attendance at Sandringham has become a subject of huge discussion among Royal experts.
Insiders have said the Duke and Duchess would “love” to be in attendance but others have claimed the Prince and Princess of Wales shot down the possibility. Mr Harrold however said “it doesn’t look good on Charles” if they weren’t invited.
He said: “Christmas is very much a time for the Royal family to be together. It’s a time of caring and being there for each other.
“Prince Albert was a huge advocate for Christmas and so was the Queen. She wanted everyone there and enjoying themselves.”
The former butler added the King would “do what he can to carry on that tradition” and “wouldn’t let it stop”. However, what the Sussexes want is another matter entirely. “Whether Harry and Meghan will be involved, we don’t know,” he said.
“I would like to think they would be there, especially at Christmas. If they aren’t invited, it doesn’t look good on Charles.
“But if they decide not to go, that’s on them. But it would be a bad thing either way. It’s a big statement to make.”
Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be spending the festive season at the Norfolk estate, where they will take part in the annual walk to church on Christmas Day. In a statement, they said members of the Royal Family will be joining them, although did not clarify exactly who.
It was recently hinted that the relationship between Harry, Meghan and Charles may be beginning to thaw.
Harry reportedly contacted his father on his 75th birthday last month, calling him from his California home and showed him a video of Archie and Lilibet singing Happy Birthday. Sources close to the Sussexes said it was a “turning point”.
A friend of Harry’s told the Sunday Times the couple “would love to” spend Christmas in the UK as Charles has never been with their children Archie and Lilibet during the festive season. However, they added: “I can’t imagine the Sussexes would decline an invitation to spend time with His Majesty. As of yet, there have not been any invitations for the holidays.”
However, Prince William is reportedly against the idea. Since leaving the UK, the Sussexes have made several explosive claims about the Prince of Wales, including that he “screamed and shouted” at Harry during the infamous Sandringham Summit.
A royal insider claimed that “King Charles had planned to spend time with his California-based grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, but Prince William and Kate Middleton were allegedly unhappy with the plan.”
They added: “The Prince and Princess of Wales seemingly stopped Meghan and Harry’s access to Sandringham after their alleged pal Omid Scobie’s claims in Endgame.”
Royal expert Jennie Bond told The Sun: “I don’t think William will be shedding a tear over this. Deep down, I’m sure he still loves Harry, but I don’t think he can see a way out of the rift that has opened between them.
“I think William has closed his mind to the prospect of reconciliation with Harry, and I can’t see a time when Meghan would be welcomed back into the bosom of the family – or a time when she would ever want to be welcomed back. I doubt that William thinks about them for more than a fleeting moment – and then he probably tries to blank out those thoughts.”
