When Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle exited their duties as senior members of the royal
family and left the U.K., fans wondered when they would return.
While Harry has traveled home on two occasions, once for the funeral of his grandfather, Prince
Philip, and the second time to unveil a statue of his late mother, Princess Diana, Meghan
has yet to make her way back to Britain. Because the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were forced
to stay home during the 2020 holidays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some wondered if
they would opt to spend Christmas 2021 in the U.K. with the royals.
Recently, Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, has been suffering from some health issues,
and the duke was said to go into "panic mode" when he heard that the Queen stayed overnight
in the hospital. Sources told Us Weekly that Harry "feels guilty" about not getting to
say goodbye to his grandfather, who died in April 2021 at the age of 99. The source stated,
"[He] would never forgive himself if the same thing happened with his beloved grandmother."
They added, saying Harry is,
"Hoping to go back home for Christmas with Meghan, if not before so that she can finally
get to meet [her great-granddaughter] Lilibet and see [great-grandson] Archie again."
However, one royal expert is now revealing that Harry and Meghan aren't likely to spend
the holiday season across the pond this year.
According to Express, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may opt to stay home in California
during the 2021 holiday season. Although rumors have been circulating that the Duke and Duchess
of Sussex were entertaining the idea of returning to the U.K. to spend Christmas with the royal
family, royal expert Stewart Pearce reveals that the duo isn't likely to close out the
year in Britain. Pearce told "Royally US" host Christina Garibaldi,
"So Harry and Megan won't be able to because of their own particular arrangements. They're
very, very busy with the next project or the series of projects because there's a lot going
on."
Pearce went on to explain that Christmas will feel much different for Queen Elizabeth and
the rest of the royal family this year following the death of her longtime husband, Prince
Philip, in April 2021. The author said,
"Certainly all the families will be coming together to see the Queen at Sandringham and
particularly because Philip will no longer be there. It'll be a tough Christmas, a different
Christmas."
Pearce said about the Queen,
"I find her absolutely extraordinary, the way that she continues and is a great illustration
to us all about how to transcend self-pity."
Garibaldi agreed, saying:
"It's remarkable. She really is such a strong woman."
Meanwhile, Meghan and Harry have yet to make any public comments about where they'll be
spending the holidays this year.
Although Christmas won't be the same without their dearly departed patriarch, Prince Philip,
the royals will be sticking to tradition for the most part in 2021.
Elle notes that they were prevented from attending service in Norfolk on Christmas Day in 2020
due to strict coronavirus restrictions. Now, though, most restrictions have been lifted,
so the Queen is adamant that it'll be a normal Christmas, at least as much as possible.
Although she's been ill lately, a source confirmed to The Mirror that she's looking forward to
being present for the festivities. An insider said,
"Her Majesty is resting under doctors' orders with the intention of being able to fully
enjoy the company of her extended family over the holiday period."
It's unclear whether Prince William, wife Kate Middleton, and their kids will spend
Christmas with his family, hers, or a combination of both, but it'd be highly surprising if
they didn't stop by Sandringham to see the Queen at some stage. Last year, Prince Charles
and Camilla Parker Bowles opted to stay home in Highgrove rather than risk traveling to
see the Queen, but it remains to be seen whether they'll make the trip this year.
The royal family usually exchanges gifts on Christmas Eve, in a nod to their German heritage,
so it's entirely possible they'll meet then rather than the following day so as not to
overwhelm the Queen.
Rumors about the disintegrating relationship between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the
Queen are guaranteed to gather steam again if the couple does indeed opt out of spending
Christmas with her this year. But it's worth noting that there's nothing to suggest that
things are as strained as royal watchers would like to believe.
As Marie Claire reported in August 2021, in reality, Meghan and Harry remain as close
to his grandmother as they ever have been — maybe even more so. Royal biographer Omid
Scobie confirmed:
"When it comes to that relationship with the Queen, it is as strong as ever — they have
nothing but love for her."
Scobie was appearing on "Good Morning America" at the time and utilized the opportunity to
set the record straight. The co-author of "Finding Freedom" claimed to have discussed
the situation with those closest to the couple and clarified that Meghan and Harry's issue
is with the institution itself, not the Queen personally.
In fact, when they spoke out about their mistreatment in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the Duke
and Duchess didn't make any references to Her Majesty. Moreover, when rumors emerged
that the Queen was the one responsible for being racist toward her great-grandson, Archie,
Winfrey quickly shot them down, per CBS News.
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