Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Reportedly Plan to Spend Christmas in California Rather Than With King Charles at Sandringham
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning to spend Christmas in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, rather than join King Charles III and the Royal Family at Sandringham in Norfolk, according to a friend of the couple.
The reported plans would mean the Duke and Duchess of Sussex spending the festive season at their Montecito home, where they have maintained a base since stepping away from royal duties and moving to the United States in 2020.
Their decision could also mean missing an opportunity to spend time with Harry’s father, King Charles, and his brother, Prince William, amid continuing distance between the Sussexes and the rest of the Royal Family.
Harry and Meghan with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in December 2025
California remains the family’s preferred base for the holidays
The King traditionally welcomes members of the Royal Family to Sandringham each December for Christmas. The annual gathering follows a tradition established by Edward VII in 1870.
However, a friend of Harry and Meghan told the Daily Mail that the couple intended to keep a low profile in the coming months before returning to California for the holidays.
The Sussexes are also understood to be considering California or Portugal for school holidays and half-term breaks. The couple own property in both locations, giving them options for spending time away from the UK.
Their Montecito mansion remains available for the Christmas period. The property is also conveniently located less than two hours’ drive from Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, who has remained a close presence in the family’s life.
Ragland, 70, lives in a bungalow in an affluent residential area outside central Los Angeles. Since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their roles as senior working royals and moved to America in 2020, she has continued to play an important part in their family life.
A return to Montecito would give her another opportunity to spend time with Archie and Lilibet, with whom she shares a close bond.
The family could also see some of their friends in California, including cosmetics entrepreneur Victoria Jackson, who lives in the same celebrity enclave.
King Charles and Queen Camilla have seen their grandchildren
If the Sussexes spend Christmas in California, they would be celebrating away from Archie and Lilibet’s other grandparents, King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The King and Queen reportedly saw the children in person for the first time in four years at Highgrove in July.
A Christmas gathering at Sandringham might have offered another opportunity for the family to spend time together. However, the account from the Sussexes’ friend suggests that the couple’s immediate plans remain focused on returning to California for the festive season.
Meghan launches a $148 Christmas advent calendar
The reported Christmas plans come as Meghan expands her lifestyle brand, As Ever, with a luxury advent calendar inspired by the family’s California home.
Launched last week, the limited-edition product costs $148 (£112) and was created for US customers in collaboration with Los Angeles chocolatier Compartes. It is not available for delivery to the UK.
The launch also offered a glimpse into Meghan’s Christmas preparations. In an Instagram story, she shared footage of herself driving a golf buggy alongside Compartes chief executive Jonathan Grahm, accompanied by the caption: “Christmas planning in June.”
The advent calendar features an illustration of the Montecito mansion, connecting the seasonal product to the home where the family is reportedly planning to spend the holidays.
Conflicting reports emerge over a possible royal apology
The Christmas plans come amid renewed speculation about the relationship between the Sussexes and the wider Royal Family.
A source told the Express that Harry and Meghan wanted to sit down for a conversation with Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. Another report this week suggested that the couple were preparing to apologise to the Royal Family for their past criticisms.
However, a source has since told the Daily Mail that the reports of a planned apology were false. According to that account, the Sussexes are not planning to apologise.
The dispute relates in part to the couple’s high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. During the televised conversation, Meghan alleged that an unnamed member of the Royal Family had raised questions about how dark Archie’s skin might be before his birth.
The allegation prompted a major crisis for the monarchy, with the Royal Family facing accusations of racism.
The latest conflicting accounts leave uncertainty over whether any private discussions or steps towards reconciliation are planned. For now, the suggestion from a friend that Harry and Meghan intend to return to California for Christmas points to the couple spending the festive period away from the traditional royal gathering at Sandringham.
