Former royal butler and close confidant of Princess Diana, Paul Burrell, has issued a blunt verdict on the possibility of an invitation: “That will never happen.” His comments, shared with OK!, come amid growing speculation about whether Meghan Markle and Prince Harry might receive a last-minute invite for the 2025 royal Christmas festivities.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have not attended a royal Christmas at Sandringham since 2018 — the same year they wed and before their high-profile exit from frontline royal duties. The California-based couple has remained geographically and emotionally distant from the royal fold, choosing to celebrate the holidays privately on the West Coast.
But could reconciliation be on the horizon? According to Burrell, the answer is an emphatic no.
When asked what it would take for King Charles to extend a Christmas olive branch to his estranged son and daughter-in-law, Burrell was unequivocal: “That will never happen. I’ve always said it, and I’ll say it again: it will never happen.”
His reasoning goes beyond surface-level tensions. The dynamics of the royal Christmas gathering — steeped in tradition, routine, and unspoken protocols — simply don’t leave room for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry anymore.
“The reason is simple,” Burrell explained. “You have to consider the dynamics of everyone living under one roof. If you were to inject Harry and Meghan into that mix, into that very particular ‘soup’ of royalty, it would become a complete disaster.”
He elaborated that the royal family’s harmony during Christmas stems from decades of shared understanding: unspoken rules, quiet expectations, and mutual respect for the institution. Meghan Markle, he suggested, lacks that ingrained familiarity — and her presence would unsettle the delicate balance.
“Meghan clearly doesn’t [understand the traditions], and she wouldn’t fit in. And beyond that, her presence would make everyone else uncomfortable as well,” Burrell added.
It’s not just about Meghan Markle. Prince Harry himself, once the carefree “Spare,” now finds himself increasingly alienated. According to Burrell, Harry would struggle emotionally if he returned. “Harry himself would have an awful time,” the former aide said. “There’s simply no place for them at Sandringham anymore — there never will be.”
Perhaps the most damning point? Trust — or the lack thereof. Burrell emphasized that the royal family can no longer rely on the Sussexes to uphold the discretion expected during Sandringham gatherings. “They simply cannot be trusted to keep what happens at Sandringham a secret,” he stated plainly.
This perceived breach of confidentiality — fueled by their memoir Spare and various media interviews — has left lasting scars.
Even looking ahead to a future reign under Prince William, Burrell sees no reversal of fortune. “Not even when William becomes king,” he affirmed. The door, it seems, is not just closed — it’s locked.
As the holidays approach each year, speculation swirls. But based on insider accounts, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry should not expect a festive reunion. The royal family Christmas celebrations will continue without them — a quiet but firm symbol of their permanent departure from royal tradition.
