Did the Royal Family Exclude Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from Holiday Plans?

It's no secret that there is distance between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and the royal family. Despite the fact that Harry visited his father, King Charles, earlier in the year following his cancer diagnosis, recent reports have stated that the two are no longer speaking. In September, however, Charles and Prince William posted birthday tributes for Harry's 40th, suggesting that the three had made some headway in their relationships.

Unfortunately for anyone hoping that Harry would be home for the holidays, a new report has revealed that the prince and Markle were excluded yet again from the royal family's Christmas plans. An anonymous source told People that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were intentionally left off the invite list to Windsor's annual festivities at Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

Harry and Meghan have not attended the annual tradition—which has been taking place for over a century, per Vanity Fair—since 2018, though Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have attended nearly every year alongside King Charles. According to People, both Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace declined to comment on the Christmas guest list this year.

Harry and Meghan, however, were already planning to spend the holidays in Montecito, California, where they live with their two kids, Archie and Lilibet. The Sussexes intend to keep their celebrations low-key at home with just their immediate family and Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, according to Closer.

“Meghan’s mom, Doria, will join them at home in Montecito, and they’ll ensure the children have a joyful day, despite not being around extended family,” a source told the outlet, per The Post. "There hasn’t been an invitation extended to join the royal family at Sandringham this year. It’s not surprising as they didn’t expect an invite, and even if one had been offered, they would likely decline."

The former royals have created their own traditions around the holidays—and they're surprisingly relatable. Markle recently opened up about how their family celebrates, saying, “Every single holiday is a new adventure" for their kids. The duchess explained that she and Harry want to give Archie and Lilibet memorable traditions, such as "great recipes they end up connecting to a formative memory" or putting out "carrots for reindeer" at Christmas.

“We’re always making sure we have something fun to do,” she told Marie Claire of their Thanksgiving plans. “Like any other family, you spend time having a great meal, and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff, someone brings a guitar—fun.”

Read the original article on InStyle