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Prince Harry and Meghan Christmas Plans Depend on Doria Ragland

The Sussexes are unlikely to join the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas, with a friend describing a reunion as “too awkward and too complicated.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning their Christmas around Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, rather than a possible reunion with the British royal family. The couple are unlikely to spend the holiday at Sandringham, where senior royals traditionally gather on Christmas Day, and are not expecting an invitation.

A friend of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told The Sunday Times that a festive gathering with the royal family would be difficult to navigate. The couple, the source said, understand that such an arrangement would be “too awkward and too complicated.”

Their plans for both Thanksgiving and Christmas will instead be shaped by Ragland’s preferences. “For Thanksgiving and Christmas, they’ll do whatever Doria wants to do,” the friend said.

Harry and Meghan would be happy to welcome Ragland to Britain for the holidays, but they are equally prepared to travel wherever she would prefer to celebrate, including California, where she currently lives.

The source was unequivocal about the prospect of a royal Christmas reunion: “They certainly won’t be spending Christmas with the royal family. How would that ever work?” The couple also understand that they will not be invited to Sandringham and are not waiting for an invitation, the friend said.

A return to Britain, but no official royal roles

Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 and subsequently moved to the United States. There is no indication that they intend to resume working roles within the royal family.

Another source said the couple returned to Britain in late August for what was described as an extended stay. King Charles III has appeared inclined to spend more time with his family, and he and Queen Camilla welcomed the Sussexes and their children to Highgrove House in July.

The visit included Archie, now seven, and Lilibet, five. Despite the family gathering, however, no plans are currently in place for Harry and Meghan to return to official duties as working members of the Crown.

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