Harry and Meghan to Skip Sandringham Christmas, Plan Nottingham Charity Visit

Key points

• Harry and Meghan will not join King Charles and the royal family at Sandringham for Christmas.
• The couple plans to spend the holiday with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, either in the UK or California.
• They are scheduled to make their first joint UK public appearance in Nottingham on Thursday, visiting three charities.
• The decision to skip Sandringham is attributed to the couple’s awareness that they are not invited, citing awkwardness and difficulty.
• Meghan has been working full-time on her As Ever lifestyle brand and is planning to resume charity work, while Harry is preparing for the 2027 Invictus Games.

Background

This development follows the couple’s relocation from Montecito, California, to the UK in late August 2026. Since their return, Harry has participated in solo engagements, including the Invictus Spirit Gala in September, while Meghan has remained largely out of the public eye, focusing on settling their children into school. Previous reports indicated the couple remained 'wildly unhappy' and unlikely to reconcile with Prince William and Princess Catherine, leading to speculation about their holiday plans. The Nottingham visit marks their first joint public appearance in the UK since the move, mirroring a successful model of charity-focused engagements they undertook in Australia earlier this year.

How outlets are covering it

News.com.au and Marie Claire both confirm that Harry and Meghan are skipping the Sandringham Christmas gathering, citing a source close to the couple who stated they 'know they're not invited' and that the timing is 'too awkward and too difficult.' News.com.au emphasizes the couple’s plan to spend the holiday with Doria Ragland and highlights their upcoming Nottingham charity visit as a blueprint for future activities. Marie Claire adds that Meghan is working full-time on her As Ever brand and is planning to resume charity work, while Harry is preparing for the 2027 Invictus Games. The Sunday Times, as cited by both outlets, reports that the couple is aware of the lack of invitation and is not waiting for one. All sources agree that the decision reflects ongoing tensions within the royal family, particularly with Prince William and Princess Catherine.

Why it matters

The decision to skip Sandringham underscores the continued rift between Harry and Meghan and the senior royal family, particularly Prince William and Princess Catherine. It highlights the couple’s strategic approach to public appearances, focusing on charity work and personal engagements rather than official royal duties. The Nottingham visit serves as a test of their new model of public engagement in the UK, potentially influencing future interactions with the royal family and the public. Additionally, Meghan’s focus on her As Ever brand and Harry’s preparation for the Invictus Games indicate their efforts to maintain public relevance and professional activities outside the traditional royal framework.

What to watch

The couple is expected to proceed with their Nottingham charity visit on Thursday, visiting the Community Recording Studio, Himmah Food Bank, and Epic Partners. Following this, they will spend Christmas with Doria Ragland, either in the UK or California. Meghan is expected to continue working on her As Ever brand and resume charity work, while Harry will focus on preparations for the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham. The couple’s future public engagements may follow the model of their successful Australian appearances, focusing on charity and personal initiatives rather than official royal duties.