Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Break Royal Christmas Tradition
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex along with Archie are spending Christmas in the US instead of in the UK.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/jerrick/image/upload/d_642250b563292b35f27461a7.png,f_jpg,fl_progressive,q_auto,w_1024/5df7e7ef79e806001d7095c4.jpg)
It has been a long tradition for members of the royal family to leave Buckingham Palace and meet at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England to enjoy their holiday together. Queen Elizabeth travels by train ahead of time to oversee the arrangements for her family to enjoy.
This Christmas will be the first time Prince Harry will break tradition and will not celebrate the holiday with other members of the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Archie are spending Christmas in the United States with Doria Ragland. They already celebrated Thanksgiving with her.
The Queen's Approval
Queen Elizabeth doesn't consider Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan skipping her celebration as a snob. She became aware aware of their plans long in advance. She gave the approval for her grandson and his family to break tradition and not be present at the Sandringham celebration. They will be over five thousand miles away with Queen Elizabeth's blessings.
A notice from Buckingham Palace states, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month. Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, Their Royal Highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland. This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the Royal Family, and has the support of Her Majesty The Queen.”
After such a hectic year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are currently on a six-week vacation for some downtime and away from the media. There have been no sightings of them while they have been in the United States.
Six-Week Vacation
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are still enjoying their six-week break. They have been in the United States where they celebrated Archie's first Thanksgiving with Doria Ragland, his only grandmother. Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor is seven months old now. The family will not return to their home in the United Kingdom until the first of the year. Then they will resume their royal duties.
Even though they are away from home, Prince Harry and Meghan have been posting on Instagram to their 9.9 million followers and sharing a pre-recorded message for the launch of their new charity, Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation.
Not Unprecedented
It is not unprecedented for other members of the royal family to skip the traditional Christmas celebration. Back in 2012, Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were the first to skip the Christmas festivities at Sandringham. Since then, they alternate years to spend the holiday with Queen Elizabeth's family and with her own parents, Michael and Carole Middleton.
What Will Be Missed
Prince Harry has never missed a Christmas celebration with his family before. Duchess Meghan has spent every Christmas with the royal family since her marriage to Prince Harry. In fact, the Queen gave her permission to attend while she was engaged to him. That's the only time Queen Elizabeth has allowed a non-relative to attend her holiday festivities.
This year, the Duke and Duchess will miss being with other royals to listen to Queen Elizabeth's pre-recorded speech that is given to the nation on every Christmas Day. They will miss exchanging gag gifts with the family as well as a special Christmas feast and other royal Christmas traditions.
Not only will the Sussexes miss out on the celebration with the royal family, but the public will also miss seeing them walk with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Christmas morning church service.
Perhaps after the holidays are over and Prince Harry and Meghan return home, information will be revealed where they have been and what they have been doing while they were in the United States. After all, they have not been seen together in public since Remembrance Sunday on November 8.
About the Creator
Margaret Minnicks
Margaret Minnicks shares articles with readers all over the world. Topics include celebrities, royal family, movies, television, foods, drinks, health issues, and other interesting things. Thanks in advance for TIPS that are sent my way.
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed.
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.