Royals urge Harry and Meghan to come home

Harry and Meghan have reportedly been urged to return for ‘one last family Christmas’ as Prince Philip remains in hospital.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been urged to return home for “one last family Christmas” as Prince Philip remains in hospital for a fourth night.

The couple are on a six week long Canadian visit and had planned to spend Christmas with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.

It is believed the couple will consider during this time whether they will base themselves for longer periods of time in the US.

On Tuesday they released their first Christmas card with baby Archie, showing Harry and Meghan in front of a Christmas tree with Archie in the foreground.

Here’s a beautiful message from the Duke and Duchess and Archie. ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/xrcUFV0ciy

— The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@PHarry_Meghan) December 23, 2019

Their decision not to join the Queen and the rest of the royals at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk for their traditional Christmas had apparently upset some in the royal circle.

But the Sun newspaper reports that, with 98-year-old Philip’s continued stay in hospital, the family feels they are being “inconsiderate and selfish” by remaining abroad.

One family member was quoted as saying: “Even before the Duke became ill, many were at a loss as to why Harry and Meghan would miss what could be one of the last family Christmases with the Queen and Philip.

“They are absolutely entitled to a proper break and privacy, but they’ve had six weeks off.

“What about some lovely family photos and memories with baby Archie?

“Many of the family were very keen to see him over Christmas, but were told they couldn’t as they were abroad.

“There is a feeling they are being inconsiderate and selfish, given the Queen and Philip’s advancing age”.

Four generations of royals mix a traditional Christmas pudding in a photoshoot in support of the Royal British Legion -.

Over the weekend, Kensington Palace released pictures of the Queen and her heirs – Charles, William and six year old George – mixing traditional Christmas puddings, in an apparent message about the continuity of the royal family.

The palace said the four generations of royals represented a cross-section of people helped by the Royal British Legion, which the Queen has supported since 1952.

The year has been an ‘annus horribilis Mark II’ for the Queen and Philip, tainted particularly by the scandal of Prince Andrew’s links with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

In her annual Christmas Day message, the Queen will admit the year has been “quite bumpy.” In the address, filmed in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, the Queen speaks of the importance of reconciliation, saying “… how small steps taken in faith and in hope can overcome long-held differences and deep-seated divisions to bring harmony and understanding.

“The path, of course, is not always smooth and may at times this year have felt quite bumpy,” she continued, “but small steps can make a world of difference.”

Prince Philip at the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank in 2018. Picture: AP,

On Friday, 98-year-old Philip was taken to hospital for treatment of an existing condition. The family had hoped he would be released in time for the family Christmas Day but that is looking less likely.

Both Harry and Meghan have been badly bruised by negative public opinion this year as the Duchess in particular struggles to adapt to expectations of her royal role.

She has been criticised for lavish clothing costs and a huge $4 million renovation bill for their house that was paid by the taxpayer.

The couple had personally warned the Queen and Prince Philip they would not be joining them at Sandringham.

They announced an official six-week break after clearly struggling to cope during their recent African tour.