Harry and Meghan Plan California Christmas Away From Royals

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to spend the 2026 holiday season in California rather than join the British royal family for Christmas in England, according to reports published by Cosmopolitan, Yahoo, and AOL on October 18 and October 20. The reported plans would allow the couple to spend time with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, while Harry continues to face strained relationships with his father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince William. The couple's reported decision comes approximately two months after their return to the United Kingdom.

According to AOL, a source cited by RadarOnline.com said Meghan had been making arrangements to reconnect with friends in California and was eager to see her mother, who lives in the Los Angeles area. The same source indicated that the Sussexes could spend at least a few months in the United States around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their holiday arrangements are expected to depend partly on where Ragland prefers to celebrate, according to the report.

Yahoo reported that Prince Harry had hoped to spend Christmas in England, while Meghan preferred returning to California. The report, which referenced People and an unnamed source cited by Star, said Harry viewed the holidays as a possible opportunity to spend time with King Charles III and improve their relationship.

Harry reportedly sees limited prospects for reconciliation with Prince William but remains interested in repairing ties with his father. However, The Times reported that no formal invitation for Christmas with the royal family had been extended to the Sussexes. According to a source cited by The Sunday Times, the couple does not expect to spend Christmas with the royals and considers a joint celebration too difficult given the current family circumstances. The report suggests that the Sussexes are not waiting for an invitation.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold, who worked for Charles and also served Harry until 2011, described the couple's reported plans as a relief for the family. Speaking to the press, Harrold said, "It would have been such a difficult time". Harrold said the absence of the Sussexes from the family gathering could spare senior royals from navigating uncomfortable private interactions during the holiday season. He distinguished between maintaining a composed public appearance and managing strained relationships behind closed doors, adding that Prince William would be particularly reluctant to participate in forced family festivities.

The royal family traditionally attends a Christmas Day church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with the King leading the gathering. Members of the family often greet crowds outside the church before and after the service.

Harry and Meghan last attended the Christmas Day service with Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other royals in 2018. In January 2019, the couple announced their intention to step back from senior working royal duties before moving to California. The Princess of Wales is also expected to hold her annual Together at Christmas carol concert this year.

Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan recently completed their first joint engagement since returning to the United Kingdom, visiting several locations in Nottingham, a city where they made their first joint public appearance after announcing their engagement in 2017.