Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won’t be celebrating with King Charles on his birthday, or spending Christmas with the British royal family, as they have not been invited, it’s been reported.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 42 and 45 respectively, recently relocated from their mansion in California’s celebrity enclave of Montecito for life in the UK, but according to The Daily Mail, sources confirmed the pair won’t be joining the royals at Sandringham over the festive period.
“There are obvious reasons why that will not happen,” a source claimed to the publication, adding amid reports of Prince William and Harry’s alleged rift: “Some people have strong feelings.”
Typically, the royals head to the King’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk for Christmas, where they exchange gifts on Christmas Eve and walk to church together on Christmas Day at St Mary Magdalene Church for a service, per tradition.
“Harry is relaxed about it, he knows he is not invited,” one insider claimed, with a source adding that perhaps Harry will meet with the King privately before Christmas.
The Daily Mail claims the Duke and Duchess also aren’t invited to King Charles’ 78th birthday celebrations which falls this month and is believed to be a gathering at Clarence House, but it’s said Prince Harry is ok with it.
The publication reports that Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, 70, will join the Sussexes in the UK for a family Christmas of their own in the Cotswolds, after ditching plans to spend Christmas at their home in Los Angeles.
A friend of the pair told the outlet: “It’s all very calm. They are looking forward to a private family Christmas. He will wish his father and William and everyone a very happy Christmas on Christmas day with a phone call or video call.”
They also denied an estrangement.
News24 has contacted a representative of Meghan and Harry, as well as Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace for comment, in relation to this story.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex recently stepped out publicly together in Brussels, Belgium in November for the unveiling of the ‘Lost Screen Memorial’ at the European Parliament.
The pair put on a united front, holding hands as they walked inside.
It comes after an insider claimed that Meghan wants her husband, who she married in 2018, to pursue a career in politics.
“Meghan wants Harry to think bigger,” an insider told Rob Shuter for his Naughty But Nice Substack blog.
“She doesn’t want him cutting ribbons and making speeches at charity events. She wants him influencing presidents, challenging politicians and becoming a global powerhouse.”
Meanwhile, it was announced that the duchess is set to co-host Junior MasterChef Australia next year.
Read related topics:Prince Harry Meghan Markle