As the decade winds down, many people are reflecting on the past and looking toward the future. However, some very famous members of the British Royal Family are using the last few weeks of the year to reclaim some of their privacy and discuss how to approach royal life moving forward.
Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle have had an interesting year. The pair have been man and wife since May 2018 and this year — they welcome their first child — Archie Harrison. Though this should be a blissful period for the pair, the British public and press certainly haven’t made things easy on them.
From bullying to racist and sexist rants — the tabloids haven’t let up on Markle. It seems like the former actress can’t do anything right in their eyes. All of this came to a head in October 2019 when Markle revealed she wasn’t doing well under the pressure and the prince announced he would be filing a lawsuit against several publications for the treatment of his wife.
Since then — the prince, duchess and their newborn son have been on hiatus from their royal duties.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been spending time in the U.S. with Markle’s mom, Doria Ragland
Since her roots are in the United States — but she’s moved her entire life to the United Kingdom, we can see how the duchess would feel isolated and alone. Therefore for the last six weeks of the year, she and Prince Harry have decided to head stateside to spent time with the duchess mother and close friends.
“The Duke and Duchess have a full schedule of engagements and commitments until mid-November, after which they will be taking some much-needed family time,” an insider told Sunday Times.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are skipping Christmas with Queen Elizabeth
To the horror of the British press and public — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to skip the royal Christmas festivities at Queen Elizabeth II’s Sandrigum estate this year. Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton do not attend every year either. A spokeswoman for the royal couple said in a statement,
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month. Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, their Royal Highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland. This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the Royal Family, and has the support of the Queen.
Still, many people thought the Sussexes would turn up for the queen’s pre-Christmas lunch and parities this week. “As the couple made clear a few weeks ago, they are taking some time away together as a family,” an insider told Daily Mail. “This means that they will miss Christmas events.”
The royal couple has not been seen in public since Remembrance Day.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have no plans to return to the U.K. anytime soon
Hollywood reporter Sam Rubin believes that the couple is staying in Los Angeles for the duration of the holiday season. Rubin told ITV,
They could have a lovely sunny, private Christmas here in southern California. They certainly are very, very well connected here. Lots of friends who have big lavish estates. You could spend your time freezing in London or perhaps sunning in Malibu. Given those options, Malibu doesn’t look so bad.
It looks like the Sussexes won’t step foot in the U.K. until well into the new year. When the pair do return in late January they may have a brand new strategy when it comes to approaching royal kife. Also, they are expected to launch their new charity after splitting from Prince William and Kate Middleton’s charity earlier this year.