How Prince Harry's Christmas Plans for Archie and Lilibet Break From Royal Tradition

In a matter of weeks, the royal family will be traveling to Sandringham to partake in Christmas festivities, a longtime royal tradition. A few family members, however, will be noticeably absent from the monarch's celebration: Prince Harry, his wife Meghan Markle, and their kids Archie and Lilibet. While recent reports have revealed that the Sussexes were intentionally excluded from the royal gathering, Harry and Markle have created their own traditions with their little family in Montecito, California, and would have likely turned down an invite.

One royal expert told OK! that Harry purposefully plans their family's festivities to be very different from the ones of his own childhood in the royal family. "I think they will join forces to create a wonderful, sunny Christmas Day with fabulous food, maybe some friends, and lots of games and music," the insider shared. "In California, they can have a bit of a pool party to work off the food and have some fun—all very informal and very different from the Christmas festivities at Sandringham that Harry will remember."

The British royal family has a slew of holiday traditions that include a light installation, opening presents on Christmas Eve, and attending Christmas Day service.

Royal expert Jennie Bond also told the outlet that Markle would keep everything family-friendly. "Meghan strikes me as a real homemaker, and I'm sure everything in Montecito will be exquisitely tasteful but also child-friendly because Meghan and Harry focus so much on their children and family life."

Just as any parents would, Harry and Markle put in the effort to make the holidays special for Archie and Lilibet, who are at the prime age for Christmas traditions. Bond noted that Harry would be especially good at getting into the Christmas spirit.

"Their kids are at one of the most magical stages of childhood when everything is spine-tinglingly new and exciting, and Santa is indisputably real," Bond said. "I think there is still a lot of the child in Harry as he was always the playful, mischievous one—and I'm sure he throws himself into Christmas fun with Archie and Lilibet."

Given Harry's strained relationship with his father, King Charles, and brother, Prince William, the other expert noted that while the Sussexes' celebrations more likely include their friends rather than family except for Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, who often joins them.

"Estranged as Harry and Meghan are from so many members of their respective families, Christmas must be more about friends than family," they explained. "But Doria is a constant in their lives, and Meghan spoke recently about how she loved having her mum nearby."

During a recent interview with Marie Claire, Markle shared some of her and Harry's family traditions. "I love the holidays," she said. “At first, I think as a mom with children, you’re just enjoying having them there, but they’re not understanding everything that’s happening yet,” she shared. “But now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year.”

“We’re always making sure we have something fun to do,” she added. “Like any other family, you spend time having a great meal, and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff, someone brings a guitar—fun.”

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