King Charles May Have Figured Out How to Spend the Holidays With Both of His Sons

Between Prince Harry and his brother, William, not exactly getting along right now and King Charles trying to figure out how to navigate his sons' relationships with his wife, Queen Camilla, the holidays are looking a little complicated for the royal family. However, if sources are to be believed, his royal highness may be able to spend Christmas with Camilla, William, and Princess Kate while carving out some time during New Year's Day festivities for Meghan Markle, Harry, and their children.

According to Tatler, Harry “is reported to like the idea of returning to the U.K. for Christmas and would be unlikely to decline an invitation to spend the festive season with his father [King Charles]. However, so far, no offer has been shared with the Sussexes.” A different report shared that it's unusual that holiday plans aren't settled just yet, though with tensions high, things could still be getting ironed out.

A report from The Daily Mail shared that Charles “has made it clear that Harry — and his family — are welcome to stay on royal property if they come to the U.K.” Sources added that “plans are normally nailed down by now, as Sandringham isn’t a particularly big place, and there’s not a lot of room for the entire extended family. It would be surprising for the Sussexes not to have received an invitation by now if there was going to be one. New Year in Scotland would be more likely. But, as with anything to do with Harry and Meghan, let’s face it, anything can happen.”

The space limitations can be traced to Camilla, who likely invited her children Tom and Laura to the royal holiday activities. So, believe it or not, the royals might be cramped with everyone, including Kate, William, their children, and Camilla's grown kids all in one place.

Hello even reported that the traditional holiday lunch will have to be served in a larger ballroom at Sandringham and not the formal dining room, which has been tradition for ... forever.

As for the Sussexes, The Mirror reports that Charles has suggested that they come after the Christmas holiday and spend the first days of the New Year with the family. That'll keep Harry and William apart and everyone can avoid that awkward family moment. 

“It would certainly have the advantage of killing two birds with one stone, extending an olive branch to one son without causing difficulty to the other," sources close to the family shared with The Mirror.

Harry and Meghan haven’t spent the holiday at Sandringham since 2018. Louella Alderson, a relationship expert, told The Mirror that even if they don't make the trip to the U.K., Harry and Meghan have plenty of people in California that will make sure that they have a “special holiday season,” though she adds that “it’s possible that Harry may feel a sense of loneliness during the holiday season, especially if he is house hunting in the U.K. and has a desire to spend Christmas in the U.K. this year."

“Being homesick and missing British traditions and celebrations could make the holiday periods more difficult for him," she added. "It’s also possible that he may choose to return to the U.K. for a visit at a later time when tensions have eased and it feels right for him. Ultimately, while Christmas in America may be a different experience for Harry, he will still have people who care about him and make sure he has a special holiday season.”

Royal expert Jennie Bond told OK that things will be awkward whether or not Harry is present and accounted for at Christmas.

“Harry’s absence from the celebrations at Sandringham will be painfully obvious," she said. "Little Archie and Lilibet should be running around with their many cousins, pulling crackers, opening presents, and understanding their place in the family, connecting with their relatives even though their lives are thousands of miles away.”

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