Prince Harry, Meghan Markle ‘delusional’ over royal Christmas invite

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have thawed relations with King Charles but a seat back at the royal Christmas table is still a way off.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Picture: Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will not be spending Christmas with the royal family, despite suggestions a thawing of relations with King Charles meant that the Sussexes’ wanted to head to Sandringham for the festive season.

Respected royal commentator Chris Ship has revealed that the controversial couple won’t be on the guest list, despite numbers being increased with more members of Queen Camilla’s family joining the festivities.

It also comes amid reports Harry is expected to have a call with Charles this week.

Mr Ship revealed that members of Harry’s team had told certain media outlets that he was planning to call his father, Charles, for his 75th birthday.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Sandringham on Christmas Day 2017, are not likely to join the royals for the festive season this year. Picture: AFP

Team Sussex were also said to have leaked information that the King’s grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who live in California, recorded video messages for their grandfather.

Mr Ship said that while Buckingham declined to comment on private conversations, the Palace suggested the Sussexes wanted it made public there had been an easing of tensions between the monarch and Harry.

King Charles, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on Christmas Day 2018. Picture: AFP

“But any improvement in that father-son relationship does not mean an invite to Christmas at Sandringham for the Sussexes this year – and, in any event, Harry and brother, Prince William, are still not on speaking terms,” Mr Ship said on ITV in the UK.

A friend of William’s told The Daily Beast that the Prince of Wales would be strongly opposed to having Christmas with Harry and Meghan.

“The whole idea of them coming for Christmas was typically narcissistic and delusional,” the friend said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with the then Prince Charles, Camilla, the Queen and Prince Philip on Christmas Day in 2017. Picture: AFP

“There is no way William or Kate would want them there after what he wrote in his book. Would you want to sit down for a slap-up lunch with someone who had basically called you an a****** in public? It would be a total humiliation. William and Kate are never, ever going to sign up for that, and Charles wouldn’t ask them to.”

Mr Ship reported that the Queen’s family would join the royals for Christmas, prompting a move from Sandringham’s dining room to the larger ballroom.

“The Queen has invited her children and grandchildren this year which is different from previous years,” a royal insider told Mr Ship.

Prince Harry and Prince William are said to be still not on speaking terms. Picture: Getty Images

Camilla has two children and five grandchildren.

The additional members of the Queen’s family will mean the Christmas table will need a bigger room to accommodate the new guests.

“The addition of The Queen’s family means extra space is needed,” said an insider.

The Queen’s family include her son Tom Parker Bowles and daughter Laura Lopes as well as her sister Annabel Elliot who is one of the “Queen’s Companions” rather than the traditional “Ladies-in-Waiting”.

Ms Elliot, who is close to her older sister and accompanied her throughout this year’s coronation, is also helping to renovate many of the rooms on the Sandringham Estate, Mr Ship said.