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Speculation over the royal family’s holiday plans has intensified as King Charles prepares to host Christmas at Sandringham with Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
According to marieclaire, while ties between the monarch and Prince Harry have reportedly improved, a return to the royal festive gathering still appears distant.
For now, sources suggest the Duke of Sussex may be offered a different route to take part in the celebrations without travelling to the UK.
Tradition meets tension
Christmas at Sandringham remains one of the monarchy’s most visible traditions, from the family’s walk to church. As marieclaire notes, Harry and Meghan have not attended since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, and the Duke’s ongoing legal challenge over UK security has further complicated any return.
Royal correspondent Richard Palmer told The Express that Charles recognises the symbolic weight of the season, describing the Sandringham gathering and Christmas Day customs as fixtures “for generations” that convey the family’s values and public role,
Distance still lingers
Despite warmer communication in recent months, Palmer said the likelihood of the Sussexes joining the full celebrations remains slim.
Instead, he suggested the King might pursue a more contemporary connection with his youngest son. “A Skype call is probably a more realistic option,” he said, noting that tensions are not yet resolved enough for the couple to attend in person.
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl highlighted how rarely the entire family convenes. Only two major gatherings occur each year — summer at Balmoral and Christmas at Sandringham — making any absence particularly noticeable, marieclaire notes
Steps toward reconciliation
Nicholl told Marie Claire that while movement toward reconciliation is underway, broader acceptance within the family may take longer.
She said the renewed contact between Harry and the King “will hopefully lead to something meaningful in future, but I’m not sure everyone’s as willing to welcome Harry in from the cold just yet.”
For now, the prospect of a virtual Christmas greeting appears more plausible than a place at the Sandringham table, even as the royal household projects unity during one of its most tradition-laden moments.
Sources: Marie Claire, The Express
