Uncategorized

Prince Harry’s bittersweet Christmas plans highlight the hurt from royal family tensions, as he and Meghan spend the holiday apart.

The Duke of Sussex, 40, will not spend Christmas in the UK for the sixth year in a row.

Prince Harry looking sad in London

Prince Harry will not be in the UK for Christmas (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Prince Harry is set to experience some “hurt” this Christmas as he prepares for another festive season away from the Royal Family, an insider has claimed.

While the duke, 40, is in for a fun festive season at his Montecito mansion in California with his wife Meghan Markle, 43, and their two children Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, he is likely to feel some sadness at the fact he is not in the UK with the royals.

Since leaving the Royal Family in 2020, the prince has not been part of the Royal Family’s annual Christmas Sandringham celebrations, with his last one being in 2018.

While he is not believed to have been invited to Sandringham this year by the King, a source exclusively told OK! that the festive season will no doubt remind him of just how far away he really is from his side of the family.

The source claimed: “For Harry, it reminds him that he doesn’t have any of his side of the family to celebrate with. The kids won’t be seeing their cousins, and that was one of his favourite things growing up – all the cousins playing together at Sandringham.

“It may well even hurt seeing all the royals together, going to church and just enjoying each other’s company”.

According to reports, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to be accompanied by Meghan’s mum Doria in California for the big day.

At an event last week, the Duchess of Sussex revealed to fashion magazine Marie Claire that she “loves the holidays”, especially with her husband and two children.

She said: “At first, I think as a mom with children you’re just enjoying having them there, but they’re not understanding everything that’s happening yet.

Prince Harry and the Royal Family during the Sandringham Christmas walkabout

Prince Harry last spent Christmas at Sandringham in 2018 (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

“But now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year.”

Meghan also said the family celebrates like most others do, with a lovely meal followed by games and family fun.

It is also believed her two children put out carrots for Santa’s reindeers on Christmas Eve.

Although Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles on Christmas Day, the pair are still on talking terms, with a phone call likely to happen at some point over the festive season.