Prince Harry is feeling “lonely” and “estranged” following reports he has not been invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham Hall with the Royal Family, according to an insider.
The Duke of Sussex, now 40, hasn’t celebrated Christmas with his family for six years, instead marking the season with his wife, Meghan Markle, 43.
In September a source told the Express that the Sussexes have not yet received a Sandringham invitation this year.
Prince William, Princess Catherine, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry arrive to attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate on December 25, 2018 in King’s Lynn, England. Picture: Stephen Pond/Getty ImagesIn a new development, former royal correspondent Emily Andrews gave an insight into the Sussexes’ differing state of mind about the Christmas period.
“Prince Harry is keen to spend the Christmas holidays in the UK with his wife and children- but Meghan wants to stay in the US,” Andrews wrote in Woman magazine.
“It’s a tricky time for Harry – he hasn’t spent Christmas here for six years and he could be forgiven for feeling rather lonely and estranged from his Windsor relatives.”
Christmas at Sandringham traditionally sees the royal family gathering for church services and seasonal celebrations.
This year, Andrews said, the Sandringham celebrations will include the likes of “Eugenie, Beatrice, Zara and Peter Phillips”.
Prince Harry “lonely and estranged” following a recent snub from his family, a royal expert has said. The Duke of Sussex recently made a solo trip to Lesotho and South Africa with his charity, Sentebale, which he co-founded with Prince Seeiso in 2006. Picture: Brian Otieno/Getty Images
Princess Diana’s Christmas cards feature a picture of her two sons Prince William and Prince Harry with their cousins Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Picture: Supplied
Since marrying Meghan, Harry has only spent two Christmases with the royals, with their last in 2019 on Vancouver Island, before stepping down as senior royals in early 2020.
In September, a source told the Express that while an invitation to Sandringham had yet to be extended to the Sussexes, Harry’s uncle, Charles Spencer, had invited the couple to celebrate Christmas at Althorp House in Northamptonshire.
“Charles [Spencer] has invited Harry, Meghan, and the children to Althorp this Christmas,” the source shared.
“It’s far too early to say whether they will take him up on it, but the offer is there if they want it.”
While the couple recently purchased a luxury holiday house in Portugal, they are reportedly very cautious about returning to the UK.
An aerial view of Sandringham Hall. This Jacobean Country house is surrounded by 20,000 acres of Norfolk parkland. Picture: David Goddard/Getty Images
While no Sandringham invitation has been forthcoming, the Sussexes are reportedly still cautious about returning to the UK. Picture: Michael M. Santiago/ Getty Images
After stepping back as working royals, Harry and Meghan lost their taxpayer-funded security, a decision that has since led Harry to seek legal recourse for the reinstatement of security during their UK visits.
“The UK is my home. It was with great sadness to both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020,” Harry said in a statement to the British High Court last year.
“The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home as much as where they live at the moment in the United States. That cannot happen if there is no possibility to keep them safe when they are on UK soil.”
