Where will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spend Christmas this year?

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex may create their own Christmas traditions this year after stepping down as senior royals.

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex will not be celebrating Christmas in the UK this year.
• The Duke and Duchess have opted to spend the festive season at their new Californian home where Meghan is reportedly "very excited" to host. 
• In other Royal News,  the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's new emotional video has fans in tears. 

Christmas is usually a very traditional affair for the Royal Family, with the Queen gathering her wider relations together at Sandringham. From attending the morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church, to eating a delicious Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, it seems to be a very special experience.

It’s one that popular royal Meghan Markle first enjoyed back in 2017 when she spent Christmas with the Royal Family as Prince Harry’s fiancée. The couple went on to celebrate with the wider family again in 2018, before spending Christmas in Canada in 2019. 

But what exactly are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Christmas plans this year?

What are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Christmas plans for 2020? 

Having settled in their California home, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be celebrating Christmas a little differently this year. The couple and their young son Archie will be staying in America for the festivities. 

This year it’s been reported that 2020 will see the couple host a “scaled back” Christmas. 

A more American Christmas Day 

As reported by Marie Claire, an inside source has suggested that Meghan in particular is keen to host a more American Christmas.

They reportedly explained that: "Meghan very much wants to host the first Christmas at their new home with her mum." The Duchess is supposedly “really excited” and “planning on doing all the traditions she grew up with as a child, including the cooking”.

Who will be joining Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for Christmas?

Sources have previously told The Mirror that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be hosting Christmas, inviting friends, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, for the festivities. However, this hasn't been confirmed by the couple and it is unclear whether these plans will be taking place. 

Katharine and Meghan attended school together and a source has described David as being like a "surrogate dad" to Prince Harry. It’s also thought that Meghan’s mother Doria could be joining them.

Why are Harry and Meghan not spending Christmas with the Queen this year? 

Whilst the Duke and Duchess of Sussex seem happy in their new home in America, there was still some speculation as to whether the couple would be flying back to join the Queen for Christmas. 

In recent weeks it was announced that the 94-year-old monarch and Prince Philip would be celebrating Christmas “quietly” at Windsor Castle. Instead of forming an official Christmas Bubble as many expected, the Queen seems to have chosen not to join together with her children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren. In light of the new Coronavirus restrictions in London, this was a wise move. 

This year also marks the first time in 33 years that the Queen will not spend Christmas at Sandringham. The pandemic has also placed restrictions on travel and it’s thought that if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flew over for Christmas, they might have to quarantine for two weeks upon their arrival to the UK. Under the current Tier 4 restrictions, travel is not permitted in and out of London. 

After recently revealing the devastating news that the Duchess of Sussex suffered a miscarriage in the summer, it could also be that the couple would like a quiet Christmas in their new home, with their son Archie.

However they celebrate, it seems certain that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be making some magical Christmas memories this year.