Rumors are swirling that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry may be returning to the UK for Christmas this year, potentially spending the festive season at Althorp House with their children. According to reports, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have received an invitation from Harry’s uncle, Charles, Earl Spencer, to celebrate the holidays at the Spencer family’s historic estate.
This could mark Meghan’s first significant return to the UK since attending the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022. However, while an invitation to join the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas celebration at Sandringham has not yet been extended, sources say the Sussexes likely wouldn’t accept even if one did arrive.
A source told The Express, “Charles [Spencer] has invited Harry, Meghan, and the children to Althorp this Christmas,” but cautioned, “It’s far too early to say whether they will take him up on it, but the offer is there if they want it.” As for a potential invitation to Sandringham, the insider added, “There hasn’t been an invitation extended to Sandringham just yet, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be one forthcoming.”
However, speculation remains high that Harry and Meghan won’t be spending Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family. “It would be highly unlikely if there was an invitation extended [to Sandringham], and I don’t think they [the Sussexes] would take them up on it anyway,” the source remarked.
The Sussexes haven’t been seen at the Royal Family’s Christmas gatherings since 2018, and they were notably absent from the Firm’s “summer summit” at Balmoral earlier this year.
Prince Harry recently made a visit to Althorp House during his trip to the UK in August, where he attended Lord Robert Fellowes’ memorial service in Norfolk. While both Harry and his brother, Prince William, were present at the event, witnesses reported that the brothers kept their distance, sitting separately during the service at St. Mary’s Church.
The service occurred just two days before the 27th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death. Diana’s final resting place is located on an island in the Oval Lake at Althorp, making a holiday at the Spencer estate particularly meaningful for Harry and his family during the festive season.