Harry and Meghan Plan Christmas Away From the Royal Family

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to spend Christmas with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, instead of joining the British royal family at Sandringham, according to reports cited by People and The Sunday Times. The reported decision comes after the couple and their children returned to the United Kingdom in late August following six years in Montecito, California.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also expected to spend Thanksgiving with Ragland, who continues to live in California. People reported that plans for both holidays will depend on her preferences, potentially bringing the family back to the United States for the celebrations.

A friend of the couple told The Sunday Times that Ragland's wishes would determine their holiday arrangements.

"For Thanksgiving and Christmas, they will do whatever Doria wants to do," a friend told The Sunday Times.

The friend added that the couple would welcome Ragland to the United Kingdom but would prioritize spending the holidays wherever she preferred. Their plans come amid continuing distance between Harry and other members of the royal family.

Regarding a possible Christmas gathering at Sandringham, a source told The Sunday Times that the circumstances would make a reunion difficult.

"They know it would be too awkward and too difficult," a source told The Sunday Times.

The same source indicated that the couple did not expect an invitation to the royal family's traditional Christmas gathering.

"They also know they're not going to be invited, and they're not waiting for an invitation," a source told The Sunday Times.

Harry and Meghan last spent Christmas at Sandringham in 2018, the year they married. Meghan also attended the royal family's Christmas celebrations in 2017, when the couple were engaged, according to the source report.

The couple's relationship with Harry's family remains a significant backdrop to their holiday plans. Harry last met his father, King Charles III, in July, when he visited the monarch at Highgrove, the king's country residence.

People reported that the king and Harry have maintained telephone contact while Charles has spent the late summer at Balmoral in Scotland.

"Harry and his father have remained in contact by phone," People reported.

A friend told The Sunday Times that another meeting between Harry and the king was expected, although they had not yet seen each other during the king's stay in Scotland.

"Harry has not yet seen the king, who is still in Scotland, but it will happen," a friend told The Sunday Times.

Relations between Harry and his older brother, Prince William, also remain strained. The two brothers are not believed to have spoken since the September 19, 2022, funeral of their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

A source speaking to People acknowledged the difficulties facing William and his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, amid the brothers' estrangement.

"It was very hard on them, and I wouldn't blame William for being cautious," a source told People.

Despite the family tensions, Harry and Meghan are scheduled to make their first joint public appearance since returning to the United Kingdom on October 15 in Nottingham, England. The visit recalls their first public appearance there after announcing their engagement in 2017.

A friend told The Sunday Times that the couple viewed Nottingham as a meaningful location and were looking forward to reconnecting with the local community.

"Nottingham is a really special place for them, and they are looking forward to getting back out there into the community, together," a friend told The Sunday Times.

The newspaper also cited friends who described the couple as "happy and settled" in their new home in the Cotswolds, where they have established their life following their return to Britain.