Prince Harry has not spent Christmas at Sandringham for the last six years, however before his relationship to Meghan Markle – and for two years in the early days of their relationship – he was a regular at the Royal Family Christmas.
While little has been said about what goes on behind closed doors on the big day, Harry – who quit life as a senior royal in 2020 – did reportedly once give the late Queen a cheeky present that she adored.
The present was chosen as a gag present, with it being a rule that no lavish presents should be brought for the big day, as reported by The Mirror. Instead, the family are said to favour either joke gifts or heartfelt homemade items.
This meant that despite the fact she was the Queen, Harry’s grandmother was used to joke gifts, with one of her favourites from the prince being no exception.
As reported by The Mirror, Harry gifted his grandmother a singing fish, which the late Queen apparently loved so much that she decided to hang it “proudly in Balmoral”, according to Finding Freedom, a book about Harry and Meghan released in 2020.
Another gag gift that Prince Harry reportedly gave the late Queen was a “Ain’t life a b***h” shower cap, with Princess Kate having reportedly once brought now estranged brother-in-law Harry a ‘grow your own girlfriend’ kit back in his single days.
With the latest Christmas being just days ago, it is not yet known what amusing presents the royals brought for one another, however it is well reported that Prince Harry was not involved in this years festivities.
He last attended Christmas at Sandringham with wife Meghan, 43, in 2018 – the same year as their Windsor wedding – and has spent the festive season abroad ever since.
The couple are believed to have spent the festive season this year at their Montecito mansion with their two children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.
While Harry and Meghan have both spoken negatively about life in the Royal fold in the past, they did in fact speak positively about their festive seasons spent at Sandringham.
On the Netflix docuseries Harry and Meghan, released in 2022, the duchess said: “I remember so vividly the first Christmas at Sandringham, calling my mom, and she’s like ‘How’s it going?’ and I said ‘Oh my gosh it’s amazing’.
“It’s just like a big family like I always wanted. And there was just this constant movement and energy and fun.”
It has been reported that the couple did not receive an invite to the Royal Family Christmas this year.
