Meghan and Harry are said to have enjoyed a peaceful Christmas at their California home, celebrating the holiday privately with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The Prince and Princess of Wales gathered at Sandringham with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other members of the royal family for their annual Christmas Day celebrations. Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were notably absent from the festivities and are believed to have spent the day privately at their home in Montecito, California.
Meghan, 43, and Harry, 40, are thought to have missed out on an invitation to Sandringham, opting instead for a quieter holiday at their nine-bedroom estate.
Meghan previously described their «low-key» Christmas in an interview with *Marie Claire*, emphasizing the family’s focus on enjoying simple traditions.
“We always make sure there’s something to do,” the Duchess shared. “Like any other family, we spend time enjoying a great meal, then play games, and someone usually brings a guitar—it’s all the usual fun stuff.”
Meghan also highlighted the importance of including friends who may not have family nearby, citing feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who was part of their Thanksgiving celebration. She added that for her and Harry, it’s important that their children, Archie and Lilibet, experience the «magic» of Christmas, like putting out «carrots for the reindeer.»
Across the Atlantic, the Princess of Wales charmed well-wishers as she walked into St. Mary Magdalene Church with her husband, Prince William, and their children—Prince Louis, six, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11—during the Christmas Day service.
They were accompanied by King Charles and Queen Camilla, though Prince Andrew was noticeably absent amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding his relationship with a suspected Chinese spy.
William had shared earlier that he was looking forward to spending Christmas with 45 family members «all in one room.»
The royal family also continued their tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve, a nod to their German heritage.
Meghan, who first joined the Sandringham celebrations in 2017 after announcing her engagement to Harry, recalled the experience fondly in her 2022 Netflix documentary, *Harry & Meghan*. «I remember so vividly the first Christmas at Sandringham,» she said.
“I called my mum, and she asked, ‘How’s it going?’ and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s amazing.'»
Meghan’s invitation to Sandringham five months before her wedding was seen as a personal gesture from Queen Elizabeth, warmly welcoming the former actress into the family.
