Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have visited the UK very scarcely since they left the Royal Family in 2020. The last time they attended an event in the country together was back in 2022, when they paid their respects during the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, Prince Harry has come back a few times, but he was never accompanied by his wife, or his children.
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However, it seems they might have a very good reason to come to the UK this winter, and it has to do with Princess Diana.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle: No invitations yet from the Firm
Since they chose to leave the Firm, and the country, to move to the United States, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have their own lives away from the UK, and from the Royal Family. While it is believed some invitations to official events, as well as birthdays and Christmases, were extended to the couple, they have never shown up to any of them.
A source close to the couple has explained they have not yet received an invitation to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family this year. The source also claimed that the couple have no intention of accepting an invitation, should they receive one. They said:
There hasn't been an invitation extended to Sandringham just yet, but that doesn't mean there won't be one forthcoming.
It would be highly unlikely if there was an invitation extended and I don't think they would take them up on it anyway.
However, they have also alleged that while there has been no olive branch from the Firm, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have received a Christmas invitation from another family member who is very special to the Prince in particular.
Princess Diana's brother reaches out
A source close to the couple has spoken to the Express about their end-of-year plans. It seems Prince Harry and his family have received an invitation from Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's little brother, to spend Christmas at his Althorp property. They said:
Charles [Spencer] has invited Harry, Meghan and the children to Althorp this Christmas.
It's far too early to say whether they will take him up on it, but the offer is there if they want it.
This means that Prince Harry could spend Christmas close to his mother, and her family, should he accept the invitation.
The house and the grounds are very special to the Princess' family, as it has been their family home since she was a little girl. Charles Spencer has remained close to Prince Harry since he left the Firm. According to the Express, Prince Harry stayed at the Althorp Estate when he travelled to the UK in August 2024, when he attended the Princess' brother-in-law, Lord Robert Fellowes' funeral. Witnesses said Prince William also attended the funeral, but the estranged brothers remained as far away from each other as they possibly could.
A source told the Express that the Spencer family could the key to bringing the brothers back together. Indeed, the funeral of Lord Robert Fellowes, a member of the family, was reason enough to get them in the same room, something that has so rarely happened since Prince Harry left the Firm. One can only hope that the Spencers will try their hardest to stop the feud that has been going on for the past four years.
Read more:
Charles Spencer: Princess Diana’s brother to be divorced for the third time
Charles Spencer shares photo of his mother on death anniversary: Who was Frances Shand Kydd?
Charles Spencer: Lady Diana's brother releases emotional memoir about his childhood
Sources used:
People: Who Were Princess Diana's Parents? All About John Spencer and Frances Shand Kydd
Express: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle snub Christmas with Firm as Spencer family extend invite
Express: Diana's family 'key' to repairing Prince Harry and Prince William's shattered relationship
