The festive season is set to sparkle, but it seems Harry and Meghan could be decking the halls away from Royal traditions again this year, by sticking close to home in sunny California. The Sussexes, who set up their new life stateside in 2020, have a cosy Christmas lined up with hints that the couple may snub any UK invites – reportedly including one from Harry’s dear uncle, Charles Spencer – in favour of family time in the States.

Speaking to OK! , former Royal correspondent Jennie Bond shared touching insights on why Meghan might opt for a California Christmas, saying: “I think most women like to be with their mums on Christmas Day. Given that Doria does not seem to have any other family she wants to share the festivities with, I think it’s a fair bet that Meghan will want to be with her and that would mean them all being in California. I don’t imagine that Doria would want to spend such a special time with people she barely knows – in other words the Spencers.”

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Meghan and Harry haven’t celebrated Christmas in the UK for many years now ( 
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Getty Images)
Gossip has been swirling about an invitation to join Charles Spencer at Althorp House – a childhood haunt of Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, which he last visited in August – yet it looks increasingly like the couple’s heart is set on a warm, familial Noel with Doria. Despite the Duke’s close ties with the Spencers, Royal commentator Jennie Bond reckons it’s unlikely he’ll jet off for festive celebrations. She shared: “It’s nice though, to think that Harry might have an option to be with his uncle in the UK, although I have no reason to believe the Earl actually has invited Harry and family to stay.”

As for other European trips during the holiday season, the former BBC Royal correspondent doesn’t see them heading to Portugal unless Eugenie and Jack are there. Even though 34 year old Eugenie and her hubby Jack Brooksbank started splitting their time between Portugal and the UK in 2022, Jennie believes that “Eugenie will want to be with her mum [ Sarah Ferguson ] on Christmas Day”. This wouldn’t be the first time Meghan and Harry have ‘snubbed’ any invites to the UK for Christmas as they’ve chosen to spend it in California for several years.

It’s likely that Meghan will want to spend Christmas with her mum, according to a royal expert ( 
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PA)

In fact, Meghan hasn’t returned to the UK since Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022. Royal expert Jennie added: “All in all I think the chances are that Harry, Meghan, the children and Doria will enjoy Christmas in the sunshine in Montecito. It will probably be a time of some reflection for Harry – he has written about his nostalgia for times when his UK family were all together. But, as any parent knows, when your kids are rushing around, manically ripping opening presents and getting thoroughly over excited at Christmas, there’s not much time to think of anything other than keeping them happy and stopping them fighting. So, I reckon it will be a fun and sun filled Christmas in Montecito.”