A source close to the family told OK! that this Christmas, Prince Harry may feel a sense of emptiness without being able to be with the Royal Family. Although he has not received an official invitation from King Charles III, the festive atmosphere will certainly remind Harry of the geographical and emotional distance from his family. The source added: “For Harry, Christmas is a reminder that he has no relatives to celebrate with. His children will not get to see their cousins, which was something he loved when he was young – all the cousins playing together at Sandringham. Seeing the Royals all together, going to church and enjoying each other’s company may be heartbreaking for him.”
Prince Harry has not attended the traditional Christmas service at Sandringham since stepping down from the royal family in 2020. He last attended in 2018. This year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to spend Christmas with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, at their Montecito, California, mansion.
At an event last week, the Duchess of Sussex told Marie Claire magazine that she “loves the holidays ,” especially when she’s with her husband and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. “At first, I thought that as a mother, you just enjoy having your kids around, but they don’t understand everything that’s going on,” she said. “Now they’re older, and I look forward to seeing Christmas through their eyes every year.” Meghan also revealed that her family celebrates Christmas like any other family, with a big meal, games and fun times together. Her two children also put out carrots for Santa’s reindeer on Christmas Eve.
Despite not being able to meet King Charles III in person on Christmas Day, Prince Harry has kept in touch with his father. It is expected that the two will have a phone call during the festive period.