The Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted for a more private and intimate Christmas celebration at their home in California with Meghan’s mother and close friends. While there were reports suggesting they might join the Royal Family for the festivities, it appears they chose to spend this time in their own way.
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Harry, Meghan and their children Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2, spent Christmas Day at their family home in California, surrounded by Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and their friends, sources have claimed. The Sussexes are pictured with their children in their Christmas card photo in 2021
Harry, Meghan and their children spent the day at their family home, surrounded by Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland and their friends.
The Sussexes last joined the Royal Family for festive celebrations in 2018 at the estate in Sandringham, where the late Queen Elizabeth would host Christmas each year. King Charles and Queen Camilla have continued this tradition and on Christmas hosted their extended family for the holiday.
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The Sussexes last joined the Royal Family for festive celebrations in 2018 at the estate in Sandringham. Harry and Meghan are pictured attending the Christmas Day church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene on the Sandringham estate that year
Last month, it was reported that Harry and Meghan would ‘not decline’ an offer to join His Majesty for the festive season. However, it appears an invitation was never extended as the pair did not accompany the other royals today.
The possibility of an invitation from King Charles for a New Year’s visit to Scotland remains uncertain. Their decision to spend Christmas away from the royal gatherings might indicate a desire for a quieter holiday season, focusing on their immediate family and close relationships.
The scenes at Sandringham sound charming, especially with the younger royals engaging warmly with the public. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and their cousin Mia Tindall seem to have had a delightful time, showcasing their confidence and amiability while mingling outside the church. The budding friendship between Prince Louis and Mia Tindall is particularly endearing, as they shared moments and jokes together.
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Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank leave after attending the Christmas day service
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Kate was seen steering Louis as they left the church this morning |
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Prince Louis of Wales and Mia Tindall attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church on December 25
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Queen Camilla greeted around 1,000 wellwishers outside the church today
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Kate and Charlotte smile at the crowds gathered to see the royal family this Christmas
It must have been a picturesque sight to see the King, Queen, Princess Royal, and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence waving to well-wishers during the Christmas Eve service. The festive spirit at the Norfolk estate seems to be in full swing with the traditional royal celebrations underway. The elegance and warmth displayed by the royal family, especially with Kate smiling alongside her children, surely added to the holiday atmosphere.
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King Charles waved to the crowds as he and Queen Camilla walked to the small chapel |
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The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh joined the rest of their family at church
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The Princess Royal arrives at the church for this morning’s service at Sandringham
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Lady Louise Windsor accompanies her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, to church
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Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson also joined the rest of the royal family on Monday
It’s quite a detailed snapshot of the royal family’s Christmas celebrations! Zara and Mike Tindall, accompanied by their daughters, Lena and Mia, added their own touch to the gathering. The image of the Cambridge children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—walking hand-in-hand with family members portrays a lovely scene, especially with the Princess of Wales offering comfort to young Louis.
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Zara Tindall, Lena Tindall and Mike Tindall followed behind their Mia, who walked alongside Prince Louis
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The Princess of Wales put a comforting arm around Prince Louis as they arrived to church on Monday
The public’s reception of the royal family at the church, along with the Duke of York’s presence, stands out amidst ongoing issues related to him and his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The appearance of Sarah, Duchess of York, alongside Prince Andrew marked a rare public outing for her.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh also joined the festive gathering, completing the family’s attendance at the church service. However, the absence of the Sussexes from the public eye during these celebrations adds an air of mystery to their Christmas festivities, leaving room for speculation about their private celebrations.
Harry and Meghan’s tradition of sharing their family’s moments through holiday cards seems to continue, albeit with a shift in focus this year. Their 2023 Christmas card, featuring the couple applauding at the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Germany, highlights their gratitude for the support received throughout the year. Interestingly, the card doesn’t include their children, marking a departure from the previous year’s family-oriented card.
Their dedication to sharing their charitable work and impact via their Archewell Foundation’s annual report and accompanying video aligns with their commitment to advocating for various causes. It seems they’ve chosen to spotlight their philanthropic efforts and the people they’ve assisted in 2023, showcasing a different aspect of their work and contributions.
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Last week, Harry and Meghan released their family Christmas card for the year, wishing everyone a ‘happy holiday season’. The Duke and Duchess used a photograph of them applauding, thanking their fans for ‘all the support in 2023’ in the professional online greeting issued by their non-profit organisation, the Archewell Foundation
It’s intriguing to see how their holiday cards have evolved, offering glimpses into their lives and endeavors while maintaining a tradition of extending warm wishes during the festive season.