Prince Harry is expected to be absent Sandringham’s traditional Christmas gathering with the royal family as tensions within the royal family continue to deepen. This gathering would be attended by almost about 45 members of the larger royal family in Norfolk for the festivities.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will are however expected to spend this Christmas Holiday in California with their two children and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.
While Harry’s absence is much expected to stand out, King Charles, has also invited his stepson Tom Parker Bowles to join the royal celebrations this year. Tom’s invitation is an important gesture, especially for a person who has turned down such invitations in the past. Royal expert Richard Eden further pointed out that it is significant for the King’s stepson to be included while Harry will not be there.
Speaking on Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential, Eden noted, “I”It is very significant the fact that Tom will be there, perhaps his sister Laura as well, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet.”
He further added that even though Tom’s mother often suggested him to joined them, he always refrained from doing so.
“To have the King’s stepson there, but not his son is significant.”
Tom, a food critic, opened up in a recent interview with The Telegraph about his usual Christmas routine where he spends the day with his ex-wife, former fashion editor Sara Buys, and their teenage children, Lola and Frederick. “For the past 15 years it has been: I go back to my ex-wife’s house, sit in my tracksuit bottoms, go to the pub while the beef’s in, then try to get my children to watch The Wild Geese. Classic. So this would be a bit different,” he said.
Tom had no knowledge of who else would be attending or what activities were planned, “I genuinely know nothing about it. “I know there’s turkey and sprouts and church. And I have to bring a suit and a dinner jacket,” he explained.
Tom also reflected on the importance of being with his mother, Queen Camilla, especially given the challenging health battles the King and Queen have faced in recent years. Charles is currently receiving treatment for cancer, and Camilla is recovering from pneumonia following their trip to Australia and Samoa.
“It has been a hell of a two years for them,” he said. “The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it,” quoted by The Mirror.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have also decided to skip the Sandringham celebrations this year, amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Andrew’s alleged links to a Chinese spy. It is also believed that their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will spend Christmas Day with their respective in-laws.