Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly trading a royal Christmas at Sandringham for a family holiday with Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland. According to The Sunday Times and People, the Sussexes plan to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with Doria, 70, who lives in California and will reportedly decide where everyone gathers. That means packing up Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, and heading back to the U.S. while King Charles and the rest of the royals keep their traditional plans.
The timing is what makes this one stick. Harry and Meghan moved back to the U.K. in August after six years in Montecito, California, and their kids changed schools just days after starting, following a security review. The couple called a paparazzi incident at the new school“extraordinarily reckless,”and they drew a clear line between normal press coverage and photographers monitoring children from the edge of school grounds. With all that noise, a low-key holiday with grandma starts to look less like a snub and more like a decision.
So where does this leave the royal rift? Pretty much where it’s been. The couple is in the U.K., the family Christmas is happening without them, and the holidays will be split across an ocean. No official statement, just two households, two traditions, and one very important grandmother.
Whose holiday table would you rather be at this year? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
