In the best-case scenario, one might have imagined a royal family reunion, with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the rest of the royal family coming together for the holidays. But that scenario seems highly unlikely. A month and a half after settling in the United Kingdom, the Sussexes reportedly still haven’t seen either King Charles III or Prince William.
So, a family Christmas? Complicated. Harry and Meghan are more likely to head to the United States to reunite with Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother. They might also celebrate Thanksgiving with her. It remains to be seen where the family members will gather. A Christmas at Sandringham would be “too awkward and too difficult,” according to a source quoted by the Sunday Times. “They also know they’re not going to be invited, and they’re not waiting for an invitation,” the source adds.
The last Christmas Harry and Meghan spent with the royal family was in 2018, when the duchess was expecting their first child, Archie. She was photographed alongside her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, as they made their way to St. Mary Magdalene Church. Since then, the couple has not celebrated Christmas with the royal family.
Their return to the United Kingdom doesn’t seem to have eased tensions. The atmosphere remains frosty. Yet, last July, the Sussexes and the monarch reunited during a secret meeting in the gardens of Highgrove. The children were also present. Since then, it’s purportedly been radio silence—or nearly so. According to People, father and son are said to be keeping in touch by phone.
While Harry has managed to resume communication with Charles, he still hasn’t spoken with his brother. Royal historian Amanda Foreman goes so far as to describe their rift as “a very, very cold war,” in which all communication has broken down.
Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to make their first official appearance together since returning to the United Kingdom on Thursday, October 15, in Nottingham. They will reunite with the women who worked with Meghan at the Hubb Community Kitchen in London in 2018. The couple will also take the opportunity to visit the Community Recording Studio, which supports young victims of violence. Last year, Harry visited the studio alone, but Meghan will be by his side this time.