A Notable Void: Royal Family Faces Significant Absences This Christmas
Hello, dear viewers, and welcome back to our channel! This year’s royal Christmas is set to be marked by both tradition and change as King Charles navigates his role as the head of a blended family. With the festive season fast approaching, the monarchy is preparing for a bustling holiday filled with guests and activities.
King Charles, now at the helm after his marriage to Queen Camilla, is carrying forward the legacy of family togetherness that his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, cherished deeply. For the late monarch, Christmas was always a time for unity, and this year will honor that sentiment despite her absence. This will be the third Christmas without her and the fourth without the larger-than-life Duke of Edinburgh.
King Charles’s relentless work ethic is expected to shape his Christmas, as revealed by his former butler, Grant Harrold. "The King works really, really hard," Harrold shared. "Even on Christmas Day, which is technically a holiday, he’ll be working on and off, just like the late Queen used to. He doesn’t stop thinking about work."
However, Christmas for the royals isn’t without its share of adaptations and occasional chaos. The late Queen often adjusted the venue for celebrations, choosing Windsor Castle during renovations in the 1980s and spending her final Christmas at Windsor with Prince Philip during the pandemic in 2020.
In contrast, King Charles is reportedly less rigid with his holiday expectations. Unlike his parents, he acknowledges that his guests have other commitments and doesn’t require their presence for the full three days.
Queen Camilla is set to take charge of the hosting duties, ensuring the Christmas tree is decorated just as the King likes it.
This year, a notable void will be felt within the royal family. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children, Archie and Lilibet, are not expected to join the festivities at Sandringham. A royal source noted, "It’s likely to weigh on the King’s mind that he won’t see Archie and Lilibet, who are expected to remain in California."
The source added, "In terms of Meghan, I don’t believe she will ever return to the UK, which implies that the children may not come back for the foreseeable future."
Meanwhile, Prince Harry is carving out his own Christmas plans. As the global ambassador for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a UK-based charity supporting children who have lost a parent in the military, he is set to host a virtual Christmas call on December 10.
“Prince Harry wants to connect with as many of our members as possible to wish them a Merry Christmas. It’s a unique opportunity for people to see what Christmas is like for a prince,” shared a representative of the organization.
Harry’s solo appearances continue to spark speculation about his relationship with Meghan. Royalists have whispered about possible tension between the two, but there’s no confirmation of such claims. Experts have commented on Harry’s demeanor during recent solo events, describing him as "relaxed and focused."
Despite the speculation, Meghan is expected to join Harry at the Vancouver Games in February, with discussions suggesting they may bring Prince Archie along. This aligns with the next phase of the Sussexes’ professional life, as they continue to navigate their unique balance between celebrity and royalty.
Royal editor Richard Eden remarked, “Harry is treading a fine line between maintaining his royal connections and embracing his new life in America. He’s still searching for a role that allows him to balance these two worlds.”
Harry’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by his family, who describe him as a lively presence. However, trust remains a delicate issue within the royal circle. His solo endeavors have been well-received by commentators, signaling progress after a challenging year in 2023.
