Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly not invited to spend Christmas with the royal couple, and one expert says it's easy to see why.
Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine and author of “Mother and I” He told Fox News Digital that the invitation to the Sussexes was “too much” for King Charles.
“No, I'm not a little surprised they weren't invited,” Seward said. “I think the general feeling is that it just creates an atmosphere of injustice. And that's not what Christmas is about. Christmas is about everyone being happy and getting along. And…King Charles couldn't do that.” I guess don't deal with it [drama]. ”
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Christmas Day 2017. They got married in 2018. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“He's worn out after a year,” Seward claimed. “He's exhausted from cancer and he's a workaholic, so he doesn't get much rest. And considering having Harry and Meghan, it's probably been a little tough. I thought it was a little difficult.”
Officials said people magazine The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not received an invitation to this year's gathering at Sandringham, the royal country estate. According to the newspaper, the couple have not attended Christmas with the royal family since they married in 2018.
The media reported that Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will be spending their holidays in the United States. They live in California with their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
King Charles III attends Sunday service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham grounds in Sandringham, England, on January 7, 2024. Royalty gathers at a country mansion for the holidays. (Max Manby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“That doesn't mean I don't want to see my grandchildren,” Seward said of the 76-year-old monarch.
“I think he's dying to see his grandson,” she insisted. “But Harry won't come here unless he has this and that. And he wants an armed escort, which is too much to ask for. And I completely understand. [But] charles [is saying]”Look, I'm not going to ask them this yet.”
Sources previously told People magazine that Prince Harry wants to restore security to the UK so that he, his wife and their two children can visit the UK more flexibly.
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Ingrid Seward's book “My Mother and I” is available now. (Simon & Schuster UK)
Sources claimed the issue played a “significant role” in her ongoing estrangement from her father. Officials say the king has stopped taking calls from his son and has not responded to his letters.
For more than four years, Prince Harry has been fighting in court over his safety in the UK.
The Duke of Sussex lost his taxpayer-funded personal protection cover after relinquishing his status as a working member of the royal family in 2020.
“I think [the king] He wants to see his grandson. But Harry won't come here unless he has this and that. And he wants an armed escort, which is asking too much. ”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex live in the wealthy coastal city of Montecito with their two young children. (Andrew Milligan – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
According to the Telegraph, Prince Harry turned down an invitation from the monarch to stay at the royal residence during a visit to the UK in May to mark the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex reportedly turned down the offer because no security arrangements were in place. According to the Telegraph, that means staying in an area with public access and no police protection.
Instead, Harry stayed at a hotel, as he had on previous visits.
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Prince Harry visited his home country in May to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. (Max Manby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Representatives for the father and son did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment at the time.
On May 8, Prince Harry marked the milestone anniversary of the Invictus Games with a Thanksgiving service at St Paul's Cathedral. Prince Charles and other senior royals attended a garden party two miles away at Buckingham Palace.
A spokesperson for Prince Harry, 40, confirmed to Fox News Digital that the king was too busy to meet his son.
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Seward hopes the king and his second son will make amends in the future.
“I think ultimately the kids will bring them together, hopefully,” she said. “Charles, like any father, wants to see his son…and he wants to see his grandchildren. He's only seen them once or twice so far, but they're growing up. But I don't think that's going to happen. Royal life is very busy. The life of a king is incredibly busy… so Harry really has to fit in. ”
“When Harry got here, his father didn't have time to see him, and that's terrible for you and for me,” Seward explained. “But if you have a 20-minute appointment, you can't allocate 10 minutes to an appointment with someone you haven't seen in months. It's better to be too busy.”
Earlier this year, it was revealed that King Charles and his daughter-in-law, Duchess Kate, were battling cancer. The Princess of Wales announced in September that she had completed chemotherapy treatment. (Samir Hussain/WireImage/Getty Images)
“That's difficult,” Seward admitted. “But I don't think it's going to last forever. I really don't and I hope it doesn't… Charles' cancer scare may have brought the family together, and Catherine's cancer scare may have brought the family together. You might think that fear might have separated the family, but if it hadn't, there's no telling what would have happened.”
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan, 43, were not invited to Trooping the Color in June. This event became Charles' annual birthday celebration.
People magazine reported that Prince William, his wife Kate, and their three children will spend Christmas at Sandringham. Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace, the offices of the Prince and Princess of Wales, both declined to comment on the Christmas guest list.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales will celebrate Christmas at Sandringham with their three young children. (Max Manby/Indigo/Getty Images)
It is understood that the relationship between Prince Harry and Prince William (42) remains strained.
Prince Charles and Prince Harry met in February, shortly after Buckingham Palace announced his cancer diagnosis. However, communication between father and son has deteriorated, People magazine reported.
“He is currently 'unreachable',” a friend of Prince Harry's told the magazine. “His phones are not answered. He has tried to contact him about the King's health, but those calls are also not answered.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not attended Christmas with the royal family since they married in 2018. (Getty)
Prince Harry and his wife's relationship with his family has been strained ever since he retired from royal duties. At the time, the couple said the intolerable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media led them to step down as senior royals.
The father-of-two has since detailed his rocky relationship with his family in TV interviews, documentaries and his memoir Spare.
A friend told People magazine that the couple “felt they didn't have a choice” in leaving the royal family.
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Prince Harry's shocking memoir was published in January 2023. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
“For their sanity, they had no choice but to leave,” the source claimed. “I think they thought that once they got out of this bubble, the attention would fade.”
The source added that the couple's time away from royal duties should not be a factor in their security.
“Whether he's working as a royal or not, this is the king's son,” the source said, adding, “We can't give anything away.” [Harry] I couldn't be happier to be able to rekindle my bond with my father. ”
Relations between King Charles and Prince Harry are reportedly still strained. (Getty Images)
“At the end of the day, the bloodline cannot be restored,” the source added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
