Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly divided over where to spend Christmas, with Harry favoring Britain and Meghan seeking time in California with her mother, Doria Ragland, as the family adjusts to an extended stay in the United Kingdom.
Heatworld cited an unnamed source saying the Sussexes were "not on the same page" about the holidays. Neither the couple nor their representatives have publicly confirmed the disagreement, and no final Christmas arrangements have been announced.
The decision would come months after Harry and Meghan returned to Britain in late August with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The children have since begun attending school in England, adding a school calendar to the family's considerations as they maintain connections on both sides of the Atlantic.
"With the kids in school, they can't keep bouncing between California and the UK whenever they feel like it, so they've got some difficult decisions coming up because they are not on the same page," the source told Heatworld.
For Harry, remaining in Britain would reportedly offer an opportunity to spend more time near his father, King Charles III. The source claimed he worried that returning to the United States for the festive period could be interpreted as withdrawing from that opportunity.
"Harry hates the idea of leaving England over Christmas, it's one of his favourite times of year and he worries that if they travel back to the US, it will look like they're giving up and choosing to miss out on time with his father," the source said.
Meghan's preference was described in terms of family ties and familiar routines. According to the same account, she misses her California friends and regular contact with Ragland, despite speaking with her frequently by phone.
"She misses her friends, she misses her day-to-day routine and she really misses her mom," the source said. Those descriptions of Meghan's feelings have not been independently confirmed.
The family has retained its Montecito home, with recent reports indicating no immediate intention to sell or rent it. Their British stay has been described as extended, rather than accompanied by a publicly announced timetable for permanently settling in one country.
A possible invitation to Sandringham introduces another unresolved question. The Royal Family traditionally gathers at the Norfolk estate over Christmas, but no official guest list has confirmed whether Harry, Meghan and their children will attend this year.
Heatworld's source suggested Meghan would be uneasy about waiting for an invitation and potentially spending several days with relatives, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. A separate claim attributed to Closer that William might decline to attend if the Sussexes were invited also remains unconfirmed.
The reported holiday discussions follow disruption surrounding the children's schooling. Reuters reported in September that photographers had targeted Archie and Lilibet at their school, prompting concerns about privacy and safety; their precise school and home locations have not been publicly disclosed.
