How Meghan and Harry spent Christmas away from the Royal family
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As the Royal family paraded the Sandringham Estate in traditional fashion, Prince Harry enjoyed Christmas Day some 5,300 miles away. Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George took centre stage on Christmas Day as they joined the Prince and Princess of Wales on their traditional walk to church in Sandringham.
![[Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales and his children Britain's Prince George of Wales (C), and Britain's Princess Charlotte of Wales hold gifts from wellwishers after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on December 25, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234216046-f4ec.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The family, along with the King and the Queen, greeted well-wishers and and gathered for photos outside the church on a foggy Christmas Day. But over in California, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s celebrations were far less public. The Prince and Princess, along with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lillibet, have spent the last few Christmases at their California home with just one visitor – Meghan’s mother.
![[TOPSHOT - Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales reacts after attending the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, on December 25, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234244964-78b8.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Royal biographer Ingrif Seward told the Mirror that the way Harry now spends Christmas Day is a far cry from Christmas at Sandringham, which Harry used to see as the ‘golden ticket.’. She added: ‘The present opening on Christmas Eve with his extended family and then church and traditional Christmas lunch the next day. Then the Boxing Day pheasant shoot and in between loads of party games and drinking.
![[CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 17: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the Escuela Tambores de Cabildo during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Colombia Visit on August 17, 2024 in Cartagena, Colombia. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_217766966-8720.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘Since his marriage to Meghan in 2018, Harry has only had Christmas at Sandringham once in December the same year. Instead, he has embraced the traditions of the ‘happy holidays’ favoured by his adopted country. ‘The only relative he has in California is his mother-in-law, Doria and according to Meghan, she will be have been with them at their Montecito home.
![[BOGOTA, COLOMBIA - AUGUST 16: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex visits Colegio La Giralda school during The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Colombia Visit on August 16, 2024 in Bogota, Colombia. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_217615955-6c69.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
