King Charles III’s 2024 Christmas celebrations at Sandringham Estate marked another year of division within the British royal family, as the monarch’s decision to exclude his younger son Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, highlighted the deepening rift between the California-based Sussexes and the rest of the royal family.
The king opted to record his annual Christmas message at Fitzrovia Chapel in London, England, marking the first time since 2006 that a British monarch’s message has been filmed outside a royal residence. Royal experts suggest this choice was deliberate, avoiding potential scrutiny over family photos typically displayed during palace recordings.
The king’s choice of venue represents a significant break from tradition. British monarchs have delivered Christmas messages from royal residences for decades, with Queen Elizabeth II frequently choosing Windsor Castle or Sandringham House. The move to Fitzrovia Chapel, a building known for ornate Byzantine revival architecture, signals what royal observers call a deliberate departure from the personal touches that traditionally marked these addresses.
The Christmas Day speech notably excluded any mention of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Andrew, focusing instead on celebrating UK community resilience and expressing gratitude to medical professionals who supported the king and Princess Catherine during recent health challenges. The king’s message focused heavily on environmental sustainability, community service, and the importance of faith during challenging times.
He paid particular tribute to Commonwealth veterans who served in World War II, addressing an audience of 2.8 billion across the Commonwealth nations. The speech garnered 8.7 million viewers in the UK alone, making it the most-watched Christmas Day broadcast of 2024.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward noted that while “the king would have loved the opportunity to see his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet,” he determined that inviting the Sussexes would have created an awkward situation for other family members.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have attended only one Sandringham Christmas since their 2018 marriage, celebrated at their Montecito mansion in California instead. The couple received an alternative invitation to spend Christmas with Prince Harry’s uncle, Charles Spencer, at Althorp but chose to remain in California.
“Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrated Christmas at their Montecito mansion, maintaining some royal traditions while embracing American customs. The couple continues to follow the Windsor family tradition of exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve.
The couple has shown their charitable spirit by donating to their local community, including sponsoring the first Annual Montecito Holiday Car Parade. They have also supported charitable organizations in the US and UK, including animal welfare and children’s charities.
Sources suggest several factors have exacerbated the strained relationship between father and son. The king is reportedly concerned that Harry might use their conversations in his ongoing legal battle with the Home Office. Additionally, tensions escalated when Harry referred to Queen Camilla as “the other woman” and a “wicked stepmother” in his 2023 memoir “Spare.”
According to Seward, extending an invitation to the Sussexes would have been “too much” for the king, who is reportedly exhausted from his busy schedule and health issues. The situation is further complicated by Harry’s requests for armed security during UK visits, which the king has been unwilling to accommodate.
The security issues stem from Harry’s ongoing legal battle with the British Home Office regarding his police protection while in the UK. The Duke of Sussex has offered to pay for police protection himself, but government officials maintain that British police officers cannot be privately hired. This standoff has complicated any potential visits, including holiday gatherings, as Harry has consistently stated that adequate security for his family is non-negotiable. The Metropolitan Police’s current position is that protection is based on risk assessment rather than ability to pay.
The Sandringham celebration followed centuries-old protocols. The three-day festivities began with afternoon tea on Christmas Eve, followed by a black-tie dinner and the traditional German custom of opening presents. Christmas Day started with a full English breakfast before the family’s annual walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church, where they greeted well-wishers who lined the path.
The afternoon featured the king’s broadcast, followed by a formal dinner prepared by a team of chefs. The Boxing Day shoot, a tradition from the 1850s, concluded the celebrations. This year’s gathering was one of the largest in recent history, with over 40 family members.
