As the royal family once again gathers at Sandringham for their traditional Christmas celebrations, Prince Harry finds himself thousands of miles away. The Duke of Sussex is spending the festive season in California with Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. This year marks the seventh Christmas Harry has missed with his royal relatives since stepping back from official duties in 2020.
While the royals prepare for church walks and long-standing traditions in Norfolk, life for the Sussexes looks very different. Their holiday is expected to unfold in the warmth of Montecito, surrounded by palm trees rather than frosty fields. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, is also believed to be joining them, making it a close-knit and intimate family gathering.
Mixed emotions and a pull of nostalgia
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond believes that, despite his settled life in the United States, Harry may still feel a tug of emotion at this time of year. Speaking to The Mirror, she explained that Harry has previously admitted to missing aspects of his life in the UK, including the humour, friendships, pub culture and family occasions that once shaped his world.
According to Bond, seeing images of his relatives making their familiar walk to Sandringham Church could stir something emotional. The sense of tradition and continuity may well pull at his heartstrings, even if only briefly. She added that Harry has always spoken with affection about Britain, making it natural that Christmas might bring moments of reflection.
However, those feelings may not linger for long. Bond suggested that the comfort of a Californian Christmas, spent with his wife, children and mother-in-law, likely softens any longing for the often cold and grey winter in Norfolk. For Harry, the contrast between the two worlds may reinforce why he chose a different path.
A family focus in California
While Prince William, Princess Kate and their children are expected to celebrate Christmas with King Charles at Sandringham, the Sussexes are embracing a very different festive mood. Meghan has leaned fully into the season this year, releasing her Netflix project With Love: Holiday Special, where she shared personal holiday traditions from their home.
In the series, Meghan offered glimpses into their family life, including handwritten notes tucked into Archie and Lilibet’s advent calendar and ornaments that reflect milestones in their children’s lives. She spoke about how a Christmas tree can tell a family’s story and mark the passage of time, a quiet reflection that stands in contrast to the distance between Harry and his relatives in the UK.
Jennie Bond believes King Charles may feel a sense of sadness at not having both of his sons together for the holidays. Still, she does not think Harry is hoping for a royal reunion. His life in California, with fewer formalities and more freedom, is likely far more appealing.
“There might be a moment of nostalgia,” Bond noted, “but I think Harry will happily throw himself into an American-style family day.”
That sentiment was echoed in a recent family photograph shared on Meghan’s Instagram. The image shows Harry and Meghan standing on a bridge with their children, Archie hugging his father’s waist while Meghan crouches beside Lilibet, holding her hands. The caption simply read, “Happy Holidays. From our family to yours.”
The photo followed the release of their official holiday video on the Archewell website, which included clips of Archie and Lilibet volunteering alongside their parents at a food shelter in November. Together, the images painted a picture of a family focused on togetherness, charity and building new traditions far from royal estates.
