Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan reportedly prioritized their children when they decided to spend Christmas at their home in California.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a holiday at their home in the exclusive enclave of Montecito with their son Prince Archie, 5, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 3.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward said the couple chose to remain at home after declining an invitation to celebrate Christmas at Althorp House in Northampton, England, owned by the late Princess Diana's brother, Earl Charles Spencer. That's what it means.
“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were invited to Christmas at Althorp with their thrice-married Uncle Charles, now Earl Spencer, but they have decided to remain in California,” Seward told the Mirror. “Meghan says it's important to her that Archie and Lilibet have 'connected memories' of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy traditions such as handing out 'carrots to the reindeer'.”
Duchess Kate posts holiday message, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan not invited to Royal Christmas: Report
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to spend Christmas at home in California to create new memories and traditions for their children. (Eric Charbonneau/Archwell Foundation, via Getty Images)
Despite the rift between the Sussexes and the royal family, Prince Harry and Earl Spencer have continued to have a close relationship.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have visited Althorp a number of times in recent years, with the duke's uncle attending his nephew's 10th anniversary celebrations of the Invictus Games in London on May 8.
“Meghan says it's important to her that Archie and Lilibet have 'connected memories' of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy traditions such as handing out 'carrots to the reindeer'.”
Meghan's mother Doria Ragland was reportedly the only family member to join the Sussexes' quiet Christmas celebrations.
They turned down an invitation from Charles Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's brother, to celebrate the holiday in Althorp, England. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Representatives for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
In an interview with Marie Claire magazine in November, Meghan passionately talked about her love for the holidays.
She said her children are now “three and five years old, so they're getting better every year.”
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“At first, as a mom with kids, you think you're just enjoying the kids' presence, but they don't understand everything that's going on yet,” says the former “Suits” actress. Starr said. “But now we're at an age where we can't wait to see it through their lens every year.
“Every holiday is a new adventure.”
On December 16, Prince Harry and Markle unveiled a holiday card featuring six photos arranged in a grid. The accompanying message read: “On behalf of the offices of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and the Archewell Foundation, we wish everyone a happy holiday season and a happy new year.” was.
These six photos also included a rare look at Archie and Lilibet. Family photos show Prince Harry bending down to hug his daughter, and Markle can be seen doing the same with Archie.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan have given a rare glimpse of their children in a new holiday card. (Getty/Archewell)
Earlier this month, People magazine reported that the Sussexes had not received an invitation from the royal family to spend their annual Christmas break at Norfolk's Sandringham Estate.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan haven't spent Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham since 2018, the same year they married.
On Christmas Day, King Charles III, 76, and his wife Queen Camilla, 77, took part in the royal family's traditional morning mass walk at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
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Prince Charles' son Prince William (42), Duchess Kate (42) and their children, Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (9) and Prince Louis (6) also attended.
Other members of the royal family in attendance included Princess Royal, Princess Anne, 74. Daughter Zara Tindall (43). Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, 60, and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, also attended the ceremony.
The royal family celebrated Christmas at Sandringham. (Getty Images)
This year has been a tumultuous year for the royal family. Buckingham Palace announced in February that Prince Charles was undergoing treatment for cancer, although it was not clear what type of cancer it was. Earlier this year, the king underwent treatment for an enlarged prostate.
In January, Kensington Palace announced that Kate was planning to undergo abdominal surgery. She had been missing for several months, leading to speculation about her health.
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In March, Duchess Kate put an end to speculation by announcing that she too had been diagnosed. suffering from undisclosed cancer.
In September, Kate announced that she had completed chemotherapy treatment. In a video announcing her progress, she said the road to full recovery will be long and she will take it one day at a time.
She said there will be some limited initiatives through the end of the year.
Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimston and Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
