Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s royal Christmas snub
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly refused King Charles’ “olive branch” invitation to spend Christmas with the royal family.
Royals
Don't miss out on the headlines from Royals. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not join the royal family to celebrate Christmas this year choosing instead to stay at their California home, royal experts have claimed.
King Charles is said to have extended a Christmas olive branch to the couple last month, but royal experts suggest the Sussexes will snub the invitation and stay in the US.
But, according to the Sun, royal biographer Angela Levin has claimed the royal family would be “relieved” Prince Harry and Markle have declined the invitation.
“The Queen’s death means that there won’t be as much pressure to have all of the family together – which is good because it seems Harry and Meghan won’t be present,” she told the Sun.
“I’m sure Catherine and William will be there by the King and Queen’s side for part of the holiday.
“Harry and Meghan aren’t coming which I think will be a huge relief for the rest of the family.
“The family will want to make it a very positive day after the Queen’s death and I think the Sussexes presence would most certainly dampen that.”
Royal sources suggest that the Sussexes declined the invitation, wary of fallout from their highly anticipated docuseries, which will be released on Netflix on December 8.
In the series, the couple reportedly discuss other family members including King Charles, Camilla and Prince William.
It comes despite the wantaway royals reportedly requesting a delay to the $160 million show until after Christmas.
“It’s very interesting that they tried – especially Harry – very, very hard to get it out for after Christmas.
“It makes me feel that they could very well attack the monarchy again and be very nasty about the King despite the fact that he lost his mother.
“It’s been said that they’re not coming, but it also [depends] on what the documentary is like whether or not they would be invited at all.
“It’s up the Sussexes on whether they want their children to know what their father’s family is like – but also it could be a case where the royals don’t want them there after the documentary.
“On one level it looks like Harry and Meghan want their kids to know – but on another they don’t.
“They want titles for them but they don’t want them to mix with the very people who can give them to them.
“Every time you think ‘they can’t get much worse’ they just do and I feel as if that is how the family is feeling also.”
It comes as the Sussexes celebrated a major American holiday. The pair reportedly enjoyed a laid-back Thanksgiving with their children, Archie and Lilibet, and Markle’s mother Doria Ragland at their California home.
It comes as King Charles’ Windsor Castle Christmas decorations have been revealed and eagle-eyed royal fans spotted a hidden tribute to the Queen.
Standing at a whopping six metres, the real pine Christmas tree will be sparkling with gold, purple and red ornaments dotted around twinkling lights.
King Charles’ late mother was known to wear the shade of purple and it was often said to be her favourite colour.
It will be the royal family’s first Christmas without the late monarch, who died in September.
But celebrations will reportedly be much “less formal” than usual.
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told British media there will be no bowing, curtsying or watching the King’s likely prerecorded TV address, making it a “less buttoned up” affair.
Members of the family normally spend the holiday period at Sandringham, Norfolk, and will do the same this year, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
Originally published as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle’s royal Christmas snub
Photo reveals truth about Meghan ‘snub’
Royal watchers were quick to accuse the royal family of a brutal act on Prince Harry’s birthday – but new details have now emerged.
Meghan snubbed in Harry birthday photo tribute
An image shared by the royal family to mark Prince Harry’s 40th birthday has caused a storm amid claims Meghan Markle was cropped out.