Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's 'snub' to Royal Family over Christmas celebrations - for heartbreaking reason
Christmas is undoubtedly one of the most magical times of the year, and for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle it could mean spending time with family - but staying firmly put in California. Despite reports of there being a warm welcome awaiting from Harry's uncle, Charles Spencer, it's more likely that they decide to celebrate the festive season in America, where they moved to in 2020.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond exclusively told OK! that Meghan could encourage them to spend time with her mum Doria on December 25, with a heartbreaking reason why. She explained: "I think most women like to be with their mums on Christmas Day. Given that Doria does not seem to have any other family she wants to share the festivities with, I think it’s a fair bet that Meghan will want to be with her and that would mean them all being in California. I don’t imagine that Doria would want to spend such a special time with people she barely knows – in other words the Spencers."
Earlier this month it was reported that Prince Harry and Meghan received an invite from Charles Spencer to join him at Althorp House over Christmas, a place Harry last visited in August and is also the childhood sanctuary of his late mother, Diana.
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Although the Duke remains close to the Spencers, according to Jennie Bond, it's unlikely he'll made a visit across the pond for festive celebrations. She explained: "It’s nice though, to think that Harry might have an option to be with his uncle in the UK, although I have no reason to believe the Earl actually has invited Harry and family to stay."
And, as for other European trips over the festive season, the former BBC royal correspondent thinks it is unlikely for them to travel to Portugal either and would only do so if Eugenie and Jack were there. Although the 34-year-old and her husband Jack Brooksbank began splitting their time between Portugal and the UK in 2022, Jennie explains it is likely that "Eugenie will want to be with her mum [Sarah Ferguson] on Christmas Day".
Of course, this wouldn't be the first time Meghan and Harry have 'snubbed' any invites to the UK for Christmas as the couple have opted to spend it in California for several years. And, in fact, Meghan herself has not been back to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022.
Royal expert Jennie continued: "All in all I think the chances are that Harry, Meghan, the children and Doria will enjoy Christmas in the sunshine in Montecito. It will probably be a time of some reflection for Harry – – he has written about his nostalgia for times when his UK family were all together.
"But, as any parent knows, when your kids are rushing around, manically ripping opening presents and getting thoroughly over excited at Christmas, there’s not much time to think of anything other than keeping them happy and stopping them fighting. So, I reckon it will be a fun and sun filled Christmas in Montecito."
