23 December 2023 , 15:47
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry "might not be included" in King Charles III's Christmas tradition, it has been claimed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior working members of the Royal Family in early 2020, with them then relocating from Windsor to across the pond in the States. And since doing so, the Sussexes have rarely walked on UK soil.
With Christmas being a time for family and togetherness, there was a lot of hope that there might be a royal reunion of sorts. And a reunion was looking even more hopeful last month when it emerged that Harry and Meghan wouldn't turn down an invite to Sandringham.
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Harry and Meghan haven't attended Christmas at Sandringham since 2018 (UK Press via Getty Images)Harry and Meghan haven't attended Christmas at Sandringham since 2018, with the duo only attending together as a couple once before that when they were engaged. They have since spent Christmas in America, which is where they now reside with their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
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Following the "warm" phone call that Harry is said to have had with his father in November for the King's birthday, an insider then told The Times: "I can’t imagine the Sussexes would decline an invitation to spend time with His Majesty. As of yet, there have not been any invitations for the holidays."
And now a former royal butler has given his insight on whether or not the Sussexes could make a surprise Sandringham appearance this festive season. Speaking on behalf of Slingo, Grant Harrold said: "Christmas is very much a time for the Royal Family to be together. It’s a time of caring and being there for each other."
Touching on long-standing customs and traditions within the British Royal Family, Mr Harrold added: "Prince Albert was a huge advocate for Christmas and so was the Queen. She wanted everyone there and enjoying themselves.
"They’ve worked so hard to make Christmas an important time for the family. The King will do what he can to carry on that tradition as it has been what he’s used to while growing up."
He went on to add that he doesn't think that the King "would want to let that tradition stop". Adding: "Whether Harry and Meghan will be involved, we don’t know. I would like to think they would be there, especially at Christmas.
"If they aren’t invited, it doesn’t look good on Charles. But if they decide not to go, that’s on them. But it would be a bad thing either way. It’s a big statement to make."