Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Private Christmas Celebration in California
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are celebrating Christmas in California this year, away from the British royal family who attended their traditional Christmas Day church outing in the U.K. The couple, along with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are spending the holiday season at their home in Montecito, Santa Barbara. Despite a recent reunion with his father, King Charles, there is still a rift between Prince Harry and the royal family, with ongoing security concerns preventing him from bringing his family to the U.K. for Christmas.
In the past, Prince Harry and Meghan have spent Christmas with the royal family, including in 2017 and 2018. Meghan recently shared their holiday traditions in a Netflix special, where she talked about embracing British customs like Christmas crackers and cooking her mother's gumbo recipe on Christmas Eve. She also personalized Advent calendars for their children with heartfelt notes, creating new traditions for their family.
While there was speculation about Prince Harry potentially spending Christmas with the royal family after his reunion with King Charles, his security concerns in the U.K. have made it difficult for him to travel without official protection. Despite this, the couple is enjoying their holiday season in California, where they can celebrate in a more private and secure environment.
Prince Harry recently had a pre-holiday trip to Aspen, where he enjoyed skiing and participated in a snow polo tournament with his friend Nacho Figueras. The couple's decision to spend Christmas in California reflects their desire for privacy and security, as they continue to navigate their relationship with the royal family.