Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might not be back in the United Kingdom for the holidays, but they will still enjoy the festive season with the royal family from their home in Montecito, California.
A source told Entertainment Weekly that Harry and Meghan would conduct Zoom calls with the royals. Since they won't have a traditional Christmas party this year, due to the COVID-19 safety guidelines, the royal family will also play games online as if they were gathering in person.
Harry and Meghan have been on better terms with the royals for "quite some time," the source further said. Prince William and Harry's relationship also improved, especially after the former was diagnosed with COVID-19 in April.
The Duke of Cambridge's condition concerned his younger brother, especially when William got the virus infection after Prince Charles. However, on the flip side, William's health struggles apparently helped Harry and Meghan's reconnection with the family.
The source further said that William and Harry's brotherly bond "remains intact" regardless of the stories appearing in the tabloids about their rumored rift. Prince Charles' sons are also bonding again over their common desire to find the truth behind their mother, Princess Diana's famous interview with BBC in 1995.
According to another source, this rekindled bond doesn't mean that Harry and Meghan will be rushing back to the U.K. to make amends. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have no immediate plans to travel, at least until the fall of 2021.
The Sussexes will be busy working on their new projects with Netflix and Spotify in the U.S. The decision seems fitting since the couple does not want to risk catching the virus during their travels.
Meghan was due to fly back to London in January 2021 for her data privacy trial against the Associated Newspapers. However, her lawyers succeeded in delaying the start of the trial to the fall season.
However, Harry could return home at the end of March next year for his review with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Prince William if Zoom conference calls will not be enough. As the Queen said before they left for the U.S. Harry and Meghan's arrangement with The Firm will be revisited 12 months after they've decided to step back from their royal roles.
Meanwhile, William, Kate, and their three children could spend the holidays in Anmer Hall in Norfolk, near Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate. Royal commentators Molly Mulshine and Christina Garibaldi of the Royally Us show said that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge might not consider traveling as well, especially after the uproar over their Royal Train Tour.
Some royal observers said that William and Kate set a bad example when they went around the United Kingdom to boost the morale of frontline workers in early December. However, people have been repeatedly told to stay home and limit their travels to essential work or business.
Scotland's First Minister even warned the Cambridge pair's party that they are not welcome in the Highlands because of their strict COVID-19 restrictions. Garibaldi said that the Cambridges wouldn't want another backlash about flouting the safety guidelines.
