Harry & Meghan's Christmas Plans: Royals Snubbed, Neighbors Unimpressed
It’s that time of year again, and guess who didn’t make the guest list for the Royal Family’s Christmas celebration at Sandringham? That’s right—Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While King Charles hosts his traditional pre-Christmas lunch with 70 relatives, the Sussexes are preparing for a low-key holiday in Montecito. Why? Because, once again, they’re not invited to Sandringham.
The last time Harry and Meghan spent Christmas with the royals was in 2018. Since then, the bridges between the Sussexes and the royal family haven’t just been burned—they’ve been nuked. If Christmas is about togetherness, the Sussexes’ plans seem to scream, *“You can’t sit with us!”*
While the royal family gathers at the grand Sandringham estate—spanning an impressive 20,000 acres—Harry and Meghan will be enjoying eggnog on their comparatively modest 5.4-acre property in Montecito. But the drama doesn’t end there.
Even in Montecito, it seems Harry and Meghan aren’t exactly the most popular residents. Mary Sheldon, a local bookstore owner, revealed she’s never seen either Harry or Meghan in her shop. In contrast, Oprah—arguably their most famous neighbor—is a regular who shops without an entourage.
Then there’s Richard Mineards, a Montecito resident and writer for *The Montecito Journal*. In a tongue-in-cheek article, Mineards roasted the couple, accusing Meghan of preaching about community while failing to engage with it. Harry, he noted, is slightly more sociable—but only when he’s actually seen, which isn’t often.
Mineards went a step further by suggesting Harry and Meghan prove their commitment to Montecito by actually participating in local events this holiday season. He even offered a festive itinerary for the Sussexes:
- Take Archie and Lilibet to see *The Nutcracker* performed by the State Street Ballet.
- Attend the Santa Barbara Symphony’s New Year’s Eve Pops Concert.
But instead of mingling with their neighbors, the couple seems more inclined to hunker down in their mansion and binge-watch Netflix specials.
The suggestion of mingling hasn’t exactly sparked hope among their neighbors, many of whom are reportedly tired of Harry and Meghan’s “holier-than-thou” attitude coupled with their frequent absence. Someone even joked that Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi must be relieved the Sussexes won’t be crashing their holiday plans.
The idea of *“grifters as neighbors”* isn’t the Hallmark Christmas vibe Montecito residents are aiming for. While Harry and Meghan enjoy the perks of their idyllic coastal lifestyle, it seems they haven’t quite figured out how to fit in.
Neighbors are weary of the couple’s perceived arrogance, likening it to inviting VIP guests to a party only to find out they didn’t RSVP and disappeared into their own echo chamber.
So, what’s on the menu for Harry and Meghan this Christmas? Roast chicken? Tofu? No one knows for sure. But one thing is certain: they’ll be spending the holidays in Montecito, far removed from the royal festivities and the shade of their local community.
While the royal family celebrates in Norfolk and their Montecito neighbors roll their eyes, the Sussexes seem content to ignore the snubs and criticism.
This season, Harry and Meghan aren’t winning any popularity contests—royal or otherwise.
