Why Prince William and Kate Middleton's private Christmas tradition might make possible Sussex reunion easier to navigate
The Waleses are expected to celebrate with the King in Norfolk but they've also got their own customs as a family of five too
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to celebrate Christmas in Norfolk as usual this year and that could bring them face-to-face with the Sussexes. Prince Harry and Meghan might spend the holidays in the US but after everything he's said about wanting to "work it out" with the royals, Christmas at Sandringham isn't off the table.
Even if they aren't there on Christmas Day, a visit would be a big step in the direction of a reconciliation and a chance for King Charles to see more of Archie and Lilibet. It would also put William and Kate in a tricky position, though woman&home magazine's Royal Editor, Emily Andrews, thinks one thing might help.
The future King and Queen uphold all the big royal traditions around Christmas but also have some of their own - and one is not actually staying at Sandringham House.
"Certainly, an invitation to spend a couple of days at Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family - some of whom Harry is still close to - would force the issue of a fraternal reconciliation," Emily writes in our December issue. "It would be helped by the fact that the Prince and Princess of Wales do not stay at Sandringham House."
After all, why would they need to? The couple have owned Anmer Hall since 2011 and it's only a five minute drive away. Reports have claimed Sandringham House can fit 16-18 people sleeping there, so it makes sense for William, Kate and the children to go back to Anmer instead of taking up rooms that could be used by other relatives.
The tradition of staying at the hall is something William and Kate are unlikely to change at this point and they wake up there on Christmas morning.
The BBC's former royal correspondent Jennie Bond has previously suggested they, George, Charlotte and Louis "do stockings and presents and then go over to the big house for the more formal celebrations."
This separation means they can enjoy the best of both worlds - private time together as a family of five and the excitement of the full Royal Family Christmas. If Harry and Meghan did come to visit at any point, the reunion might be easier, as Emily suggests, since William and Kate could see them for a certain amount of time and then go home to Anmer.
It could help take pressure off and according to the royal expert they often have Kate's parents Michael and Carole, siblings James and Pippa and their families, to visit at Christmas too. The Middletons would be an extra source of support and having guests to stay is a reason for the Prince and Princess not to spend much time with the Sussexes if they don't want to.
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It'll be up to King Charles whether or not to invite Harry and Meghan and it would spark a lot of discussion if William and Kate completely missed Christmas at Sandringham just because the Sussexes might go. Emily says His Majesty "knows that Christmas is a time for family, forgiveness and harmony", so perhaps his sons could find a way to come together this festive season, if only for a short while.
Read Emily Andrews' full feature in the December issue of woman&home, out now.
