One of the tabloid storylines this week is that the Duchess of Sussex is already miserable in the UK and she’s ready to move back to California, possibly around Christmas. That story is everywhere and nowhere, I guess it’s just vibes-based gossip. It comes at an interesting moment, given Prince Harry’s insistence that his biggest priority is reconciling with his garbage family. Do I think the two stories are connected? Perhaps. My question is: did Harry think he could move back to the UK and his father would immediately begin clearing the path for a deeper reconciliation? In other words, do you think Harry has been surprised that King Charles, Prince William and the entire royal family continue to keep him at arm’s length? I’ve believed for some time now that Charles absolutely knows how to push Harry’s buttons and that Charles enjoys withholding time and affection from the son who wants it the most. Speaking of, check out this Radar story.
Prince Harry is said to be heartbroken as Meghan Markle is apparently pushing ahead with plans to spend Christmas in America, RadarOnline.com can reveal. The Duke of Sussex, 42, had hoped to celebrate the holidays in Britain with his wife, 45, and their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. But sources told us Markle is determined to return to California to spend Christmas with her mother, Doria Ragland, following a frosty reception from Buckingham Palace since the couple returned to the UK in August.
Our insider claimed: “Harry had desperately wanted to remain in Britain, believing Christmas offered a rare opportunity to rebuild his relationship with King Charles if his grandchildren could be involved in a visit. Harry had been clinging to the idea that Christmas might finally provide the breakthrough he’s been waiting for with the royal family. He imagined being able to spend some proper time with his father, having the children around their grandfather and perhaps starting to put years of bitterness behind them.
“He knows things can’t be fixed overnight, but he felt the festive season could have given everyone an excuse to lower their defenses. The thought of another Christmas passing without that happening is absolutely crushing for him, particularly because he feels time with his father is precious.”
The source added: “Meghan has a completely different outlook on the situation. As far as she’s concerned, they’ve spent far too long trying to win over people who have made very little effort to welcome them back. She doesn’t want to spend the holidays feeling uncomfortable, wondering whether they’re going to be invited somewhere or worrying about how they’ll be treated if they do turn up.
“In California, she can surround herself with people who genuinely want to celebrate with them, including her mother, and give the children a relaxed, happy Christmas. Harry understands why that appeals to her, and he doesn’t want to force her into a situation she dreads. But that doesn’t make it any easier for him to accept that the family reunion he was dreaming of probably isn’t going to happen.”
Complain all you want, but this sounds entirely plausible to me. Harry is Charlie Brown, and the Windsors are Lucy with the football. These are well-established patterns – Harry twisting himself in knots to cede power to the garbage royals, all in exchange for a vague promise (and not even that) of time and attention. I also believe Meghan is already tired of all of this BS. This perspective is incredibly valid: “In California, she can surround herself with people who genuinely want to celebrate with them, including her mother, and give the children a relaxed, happy Christmas.” It’s not just about Christmas either, it’s about this whole sorry endeavor. Why go out of your way to publicly beg to reconcile with people who don’t give a f–k about you, and don’t even extend a polite invitation to Christmas?
Photos courtesy of Meghan’s Instagram and Netflix.
Meghan is not going to put up with the Christmas “snubbing” bullshit the Barfs and the racist media trot out EVERY year.
Meghan told us less than two weeks ago where they were going to spend Christmas–with her mother! Why are we reacting to Radar spewing its vile nastiness about how Meghan feels (as if they know), when Meghan herself told us?
I really lose patience here. Since when do we believe Radar online?
If Harry had hoped to spend Christmas in England then certainly not Sandringham. More like pretty much everyone here in Germany hopes for white Christmas, a winter wonderland outside while the Christmas tree, the lights, hot cocoa and mulled wine wait inside. A fairytale which happens once or twice in a lifetime. They had 6 Christmases in sunny California, why not one in England, with Doria as their guest for a few weeks? Walks with the dogs through the crisp air? England IS beautiful after all.
I understand when Meghan wants to celebrate in Montecito, meet friends, catch up, maybe meet some businesspartners after the holidays for As Ever and Archewell Productions (there is a lot of talk about the war series Harry is producing). She might be a little homesick and miss her garden, the chicken, and the bees. On the other hand, why not invite her closest friends over for a shared holiday?
Meghan should not leave her children over the holiday so harry can take them to charles. A very bad idea. Its like when diana had to be separated from her children over the holiday after the separation from charles.
Who said the children weren’t going back to the US for Christmas?
There were stories about meghan staying home while harry brought the children. Speculation but with the bad attitudes of harrys birth family it was subject to speculation
The only story I’ve seen was that Meghan was supposed to be going back and forth to the US while the children and Harry stay in the UK. We haven’t seen that happening so I guess that wasn’t true and I haven’t seen any stories about Meghan going home for Christmas alone. If Meghan didn’t want to be in the UK she wouldn’t have moved there.
I haven’t even read any of this trash and even I know that H&M aren’t going to spend Christmas apart. For God’s sake.
I don’t believe this story for one second.
Not that the Sussexes aren’t going back to Cali for XMas, but that somehow Harry and Meghan aren’t fully aligned on this, and that returning home at Christmas, and avoiding all the Windsor and press hysterical meltdowns, wasn’t the Sussexes plan all along.
Some seem to think Harry’s totally naive. I’m not so sure.
But wasn’t it already reported that they’re going to the US for Christmas?
It was so this is all just tabloid garbage.
Yep. It’s laying the groundwork for the upcoming stream of stories “Awful, controlling Meghan BANS brainwashed gullible weak Harry from seeing his SICK father on CHRISTMAS!”
Yes, that’s been reported for a while now and it makes sense to me. The kids can experience an English Christmas (the London lights, the christmas markets, all of that) before or after the actual holiday.
Does anyone really think Harry wanted to spend Christmas Eve at Sandringham while his kids stayed upstairs?
I don’t believe that, no. The kids are going to have fun doing Christmas type stuff in the uk and then doing the same in Cali. I’d imagine Harry and Meghan both are having a lot of fun sharing a Uk Christmas with his kids as well as just the Uk in general.
Yeah, look, we went to London two years ago for the week between christmas and new years and it was AMAZING. London at christmas is just beautiful and magical. and I can only imagine how it is in the rest of England. (and yes i love christmas in general and my area goes all out, etc – but this was still different.) so I can absolutely see Harry wanting his kids to experience that and then going to Montecito to spend christmas day in their matching xmas PJs.
I get it. I raised my kids in Atlanta but both myself and my wasband are from NYC and wanted them to experience how great NYC is at Christmas. By teenage years they couldn’t care less so we stopped.
Yes, but apparently we’ve all decided that any tabloid nonsense that paints Harry as a dipshit is correct because vibes or something.
Perfectly said, and worthy of being repeated every single time the media reports that Meghan is “heartbroken” or that Harry “desperately” something or other.
Yes! And thank you! We all knew the Sussexes were spending Christmas with Meghan’s mother–and Doria gets to pick where. And yes, Harry is getting lots of therapy, but to deconstruct from his upbringing of neglect and scapegoating takes a life time. Let’s not pile onto the rota rat crap.
This.
Yes, that was one of the first pieces of information the Sussexes clarified about their move – that they would be spending Christmas in Cali.
It’s the royal rota trying to create drama but also the Windsors for whom the only “real” Christmas is a miserable-sounding formal dinner at Sandringham. If Harry and Meghan want to get festive while they’re in the UK, I’ll bet they can do better than that!
Keeping in mind that the Wales family frequently misses that ‘real’ Christmas at Sandringham.
This has entire fiasco has made it clear to me: Harry is optimistic and naive to the point of genuine stupidity.
Oh! Almost like that they’re reviving that tabloid story that has floated around for years that Harry isn’t bright.
And here you are, believing tabloid rumors and calling Harry stupid.
Pot… Kettle, perhaps?
Going back to the UK was stupid. Full stop.
We know who the truly stupid are and it’s not Harry.
Pot…kettle, indeed.
Agree. Not literal stupidity but a huge blind spot regarding his birth family. And this isn’t coming from the tabloids— it’s from H’s own words and actions. Because he won’t stop saying in public what his dad and brother won’t give him the chance to say in private— that his desire for reconciliation with them (trash people though they are) is motivating everything right now. He’s definitely Charlie Brown with Lucy & the football.
Well, call me stupid then. Bc I see this as a choice the couple made together bc they want their kids to have the opportunity to experience both the uk and cali, the home places of both parents. Why should Meghan and her kids be denied that? Bc the RF says so? To me it’s less about the birth family and more about the birth place. Nothing stupid about a dad or parents together wanting that for their kids. No doubt Harry has talked about the uk with his kids about where he grew up and Meghan as well. I cannot see any reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to be there. No one knows for how long but it’s clear they are establishing a space in which they can do both.
This is another non story as the Sussexes confirmed last September that they plan to spend school breaks either in the US or in Portugal. School breaks include Christmas.
Although Harry confirmed many years ago and recently that reconciliation was important for him, their plans clearly shows that if this happen, it won’t be at the expense of his own family.
The political situation in the US is not the best, but Harry have said it more than once that he is very happy in the US. They are implemented the next stage of their life which was part time in the UK and part time out… and thriving at both places.
Can you link to the statement they gave about this? I feel like that was an assumption people made, not an announcement from their team, but I’d love to know if I’m wrong.
Not a fan of People magazine, but it seems like a go-to media source for the Sussexes. Several articles there address the UK move. The one specifically about the Christmas plans is at https://people.com/meghan-markle-prince-harry-plan-spend-christmas-doria-ragland-not-royal-family-12169038
Actually, the article referenced (People Magazine), clearly states the Sussex family will spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with her mother, Mrs. Doria Ragland and the locations for both celebrations is entirely Mrs. Ragland’s preference:
“The couple also plans to spend Thanksgiving with Doria, with the location of both holiday celebrations depending on her preference.” (3rd paragraph from the top).
https://people.com/meghan-markle-prince-harry-plan-spend-christmas-doria-ragland-not-royal-family-12169038
The same statement, regarding the location of both holiday celebrations to be Mrs. Ragland’s preference, was also published in the London Times, and reported and linked to this site.
This nonsense about Christmas with the royal family is a perennial favorite with the British media and the epiphytic hangers on.
Those that eke out their threatened livelihood from this couple. Believe none of it.
Thanks to the duchess’s new tea set offering, I am taking my Nan’s tea set off the top pantry shelf and placing it eye level to remind myself to use it often and cherish the memories of tea with her and her fresh baked vanilla scented tea cakes.
Sorry to nitpick, but is she really “Mrs. Ragland?” Ragland is her own name, right? Not a husband’s family name? This is a pet peeve of mine because women deserve their own name, and not just an extension of a man’s name.
You’re right! Doria isn’t Mrs. Ragland! I wonder what People Magazine was thinking.
Elle, thank you for introducing me to a new word!
This article is most probably made up but I feel it’s an accurate read. Harry has shown time and time again that he wants to spend time with Charles and that he wants his children around Charles. Meghan has no time for royal bullshit, she’s already cut off one toxic Dad and she knows the value of people who truly want to support you. She loves Harry but she knows how to set boundaries.
Charles may say he will spend time with the Sussex children but he could back out at the same time. I think he spends time with Camilla and her grandchildren.
It saddens me to see us referencing Radaronline because we may share the same opinion this site expresses, especially When we all know the kind of site it is. Because someone agrees with you, it does not make the sourcing correct. I do believe Meghan would prefer to spend Christmas in California. (I believe), my opinion. Makes sense because this is her home country and for the past 6 years, they appeared to have a scenic Christmas there surrounded by family and friends. I also wish she does go home for Christmas, she must miss her mom who because such an intregal part of her life once she became a mom.
Archie and Lili should be with Doria at Christmas.
Seems like Harry is now getting the ‘Matt Damon’ treatment.
The Sussex PR Team has responded to the “where are they spending Christmas” stories. This Radar article is click bait.
I think so many people took Prince Harry’s response to the question do you want a reconciliation the wrong way. Would he like to reconcile with his cancer stricken father? Yes, but that doesn’t mean he is going to go around begging for it. The couple has already stated they aren’t writing up any apologies to the family. It was a simple idyllic response to a simple question. Harry also mentioned many reasons why they came back to the UK family (not just the windsors), friends, the kids getting to know more of their British culture and more…but that always gets looked over for the drama. As for staying in the UK for Christmas I doubt that either of them would go to Sandringham with the kids…they would be shipped off to a nursery with a bunch of strangers and the couple would spend their holiday in a viper’s nest….oh so festive.
Given the children would get a month off around Christmas that seems like the perfect time to go back to California spend time with their caring grandparent and catching up with friends.
In press for Spare he acknowledged that the book was him begging to be understood by his father and brother so he could be back in their dysfunctional fold. He thought (I imagine his co-author knew otherwise) that if they were just forced to hear his perspective, all would be well. He wasn’t telling his story just to have his side out there— it was to make the Windsors understand and love him again. He won’t apologize because he (correctly) doesn’t think he did anything wrong, but it’s delusional to think they will come around if he keeps explaining things (especially through statements for public consumption, but they leave him no choice on that front).
Can you link where he was begging to be back on the fold because I read everything I saw at the time and that wasn’t his narrative.
“In press for Spare he acknowledged that the book was him begging to be understood by his father and brother so he could be back in their dysfunctional fold.”
Source?
I *believe* it was in this interview, but I’m not 100 sure he explained his reasons for publishing the book (so his family would hear his side) in this interview because it’s not recapped in full. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/prince-harry-itv-interview-excerpt-1.6701307
I don’t remember this.
About the only thing that rings true to me here is the part where “they’ve spent far too long trying to win over people who have made very little effort to welcome them back.” But do I think that radar has sources that are reporting this? I do not.
I feel like there’s a weird effort here to fall back on the old “Harry is stupid” trope that the Windsors pushed for years. Harry is not Charlie Brown, and he’s not thick. Stubborn, sure, but I don’t think he’s so naive as presented here. Undoubtedly, William will rage and Charles will play the victim and try his best to play his sons against one another, but Harry seems to have arrived despite these things, not because of them.
Also, Meghan is no more of a hostage in the Cotswalds than Harry was in Montecito. They obviously made this decision together and so far, it seems to be working for them.
What sources do they need other than Harry’s own interviews regarding his desires vis a vis his family?
Wanting a relationship with his only surviving parent doesn’t mean that Harry is stupid, or Charlie Brown, or thick. It means he’s human. And I thought it was clear in spare that while he had a lot of grace and forgiveness for his father, he also saw him pretty clearly. And he definitley sees William clearly.
I don’t think Harry is stupid and I don’t think Meghan is a hostage. Tina Brown will be thrilled that this narrative of Harry is continuing though. As well as many in the RF and the rota.
Sussex “fans” are doing the rf and bm work for them.
Believing everything the bm says just shows who the dummies really are. I wonder why any of these people followed the sussexes at all?
If it’s true that Harry is expecting reconciliation with ANY of the BRF, I pity him. It’s a sad trombone version of “He’s Just Not That Into You.” I dunno, he doesn’t seem THAT dumb to me! But maybe he is. Though how could he know what they did to his MOTHER and his WIFE and expect any crumbs AT ALL. Is he really that reckless and masochistic? Does he really value the regard of a bunch of institutionalized losers over the safety and well-being of his children and Meghan? Someday we may know, but right now it’s a still a blank mystery.
It might be fun spending Xmas in England with the Spensers, if Doria flies to the UK. Also, H & fam spending Xmas there will make Charles look cold for snubbing his grandkids at Xmas!
One thing that Harry & Meghan has showcased over the years…is that they will be together & alright …which is what I’ve enjoyed the MOST about them…
Is Harry really as one-dimensional as he’s being painted by both sides now? He comes from a dishonorable family and is trying to live as an honorable man.
Well put, @paintybox!
This site, and some commenters, seems determined to paint Harry as selfish, naive, and indeed pathetic for “dragging” his family to the UK, and giving credence to media sources, no matter how unreliable or trashy if they expound this point of view. I think that Harry’s comments about reconciliation have been taken way out of context. I think many things that Harry has said are ignored to high-light something that some have determined to believe about the Sussex move. This borders somewhat on what tabloids do, does it not? Getting back to Christmas, Sandringham sounds more like an endurance test rather than a celebration. Why wouldn’t they want to go home to Montecito where Meghan has already established family traditions for Christmas? Much as Harry might enjoy going back to a big jolly Christmas with extended family and cousins, he is not able to provide that for his own little family. And it’s not his granny’s Christmas. Imagine how warm and fun Christmas would be with Charles and Camilla. Merry Christmas, Montecito! Perhaps sometime in the future, the Sussexes can experience Christmas in the Cotswolds, but I should imagine that Charles would have to be dead, and William has cancelled having any relatives to celebrate Christmas. When Middleton/Windsor Christmases are implemented, then Sussex Christmases can be enjoyed in peace with family and friends of choice.
Do you not remember when Harry said he couldn’t wait to bring Meghan to Sandringham for Christmas because she didn’t come from a big family? The implication was that it was a fun, lively tradition he greatly enjoyed. So could I imagine him wanting his kids to experience that instead of an intimate celebration in Cali? Yes. Although I’m sure the Cali celebration will be warm and gorgeous thanks to Meghan.
Yes, I remember, Meredith. Those were the optimistic days before jealousy and resentment took hold. They were in the first flush of engagement and didn’t have children yet. I believe that it was Meghan’s first exposure to Harry’s large extended family and the Queen was still the matriarch, so I’m sure Megan enjoyed it. It was all Harry has ever known. Even if they were to go to Sandringham, Archie and Lili would be thrust amongst total strangers, all older than they. Hope Meghan and Harry would not want to do that to their children.
I’m just pushing back on the narrative that the royal Christmas is a dreary tradition nobody wants to participate in anyway. That wasn’t Harry’s experience— he loved it and I’m sure it stings to be left out of it now. He’s likely sad for himself and his kids.
They could spend a long weekend with the Spencers. They have children around Archie’s and Lili’s age. This would be a fun celebration, the children could run around and get spoiled by Diana’s brother and sisters, while Harry and Meghan have fun with the cousins.
Who needs the Windsors and Sandringham? Not even the Christmas menu sounds delicious. And the company would make it extra salty.
I think Meghan moved to the Uk for Harry . I also think that her doesn’t want to be there for a short time. He wants a lot of years back there . Why do I say that ? No one moves two children to another country for another country education for a year. . Harry just said he didn’t realize how important a British education was to him till recently. That Tells me he is thinking of keeping them in the uk for said education for years to come. Meghan on the other hand i believe thinks Harry will get over that dog s family before those years ever happen . And let me tell you, if I were Meghan. Like I have said before, Charles and Camilla and the rest of those racist trash heap of a cult would never be anywhere near me or my children, If Harry wants to see his father, then he has my blessing but I won’t be joining him and neither would my children. Charles has shown time and time again than he just doesn’t care one bit about Harry or his children. I don’t think Charles could make that Nat clearer if he tried. You are telling me. – grandpa sho was openly briefing how he wants to see said grand kids so badly and why can’t mean Harry and Meghan bring them to the uk to visit , and yet when they decide to move back, he can’t find one hour in all this time in his schedule to see them ? Are you really telling me he is that busy . No . No no . If that doesn’t tell you that he doesn’t give a f , then what will. Does he have to tattoo it onto Harry forehead for him to finally get it ? I 100 percent knows the Meghan does . She sees the same dog sh in Charles that she sees in hers but she is letting Harry and hoping Harry get to the place rather sooner than later on his very own.
ITA 💯
Oh I’m sure
Eh no matter what they will decide together and enjoy. I think people need to let go of some thought that Meghan is going to just flee Britain. She’s there and seems to be focused on making sure their kids are settled and having a routine. They may stay in Britain for Christmas and that’s okay!
I mean, I could have written this story, as it’s pure conjecture based on prior reporting that the Sussexes will spend Christmas in Montecito.
That’s where the kids are accustomed to spending Christmas. That’s where the familiar decorations are. And most importantly, that’s where Doria will be.
There’s no way in hell that Harry wants to spend Christmas at Sandringham with frosty Princess Anne and conniving Camilla and the possibility of his rageaholic brother turning up.
Meghan is a very smart, unbiased woman. She knows what is what. I wish her and her family the best, as always.
This isn’t new. A few weeks ago a story came out they were going to California for Christmas and the whole Sandringham non-event was trotted out like it is every year. They have their own home there and it will be a good time to check in on things. Remember the fish, chickens and bees. I also think Mia the beagle is still there too. This isn’t a big revelation folks. The thing is the expectation was Meghan was going to be everywhere and at all kinds of events, and she’s just not. Nottingham was one day. This stay in the UK is a sabbatical for her.
Didn’t Harry just reveal in the GQ interview that moving back to the UK wasn’t something they planned far ahead in the future? It sounds by his own admission it happened rather quickly, if not completely overnight. It took all of us (especially the British media) by surprise. My guess is they go back to the US on most school breaks to see Doria and I am 80% confident they will go back to the US for Christmas (they even put out a story they were spending the holidays with Doria a few weeks ago).
I think Harry is optimistic but I don’t think he’s naive either. He knows William was greatly hurt by all the revelations (because it made him look bad even if they were true) and while he might hope for reconciliation, he knows not to hold his breath. I know Harry said he wanted his children to experience a UK education but honestly, that reason sounds pretty weak to me. I think the move is mostly rooted in Invictus taking place in the UK next year and Charles’s failing health.
California is too predictable!
It would be more amusing for us onlookers if they went to Portugal or Paris or anywhere close-by in Europe for Christmas instead.
They should rent a big chalet in the Swiss Alps and invite Doria and good friends.
What’s that place where royals go skiing? THAT would be good.
Royals heads would explode!
That thumbnail photo of her looking into the sun is unnerving. Blepharoplasty? She just looks a little different now.
I’m just hoping this is a year long relocation and the family is back in Montecito by this time next year.
Kaiser, you’re neglecting the Spencers, in your conclusion. We don’t know how much they are part of the Sussexes’ calculus. Things might be proceeding swimmingly, with them.
I’m not convinced RadarOnline even has a genuine source here. This feels like speculation built on speculation. Harry and Meghan spending Christmas in California was hardly unexpected; it was always part of building a life there.
I also think we underestimate both Harry and Meghan by framing this as Harry chasing people who don’t care about him while Meghan is simply fed up with it. Family clearly matters deeply to Harry, and Meghan has said she doesn’t want him to lose his father as she lost hers.
Perhaps Harry wants to know he did everything he could to preserve that relationship while Charles is still alive. There may also be a strategic reason to establish a foothold in the UK now. Frogmore reminds us that their plans never necessarily meant living exclusively in California.
Meghan is an intelligent, independent woman who can make her own decisions. Supporting Harry in trying to repair family relationships doesn’t make her a victim. To me, this is a far more plausible interpretation than building an elaborate narrative about their private feelings and relationship on the basis of an anonymous RadarOnline story whose source we cannot verify.