Royal Family's Christmas guest list confirmed but Harry and Meghan are missing

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly ready to leave their Montecito mansion after reports from neighbours that they're 'never in'.

The Royal Family welcomed back Sarah Ferguson to one of their most significant occasions, suggesting that "all is not lost" with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid the rift, a royal expert said. On Christmas Day 2023, the Duchess of York joined her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, their two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie along with other members of the Royal Family at Sandringham.

As reported continue to swirl that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are trying to action their '2024 redemption plan', a royal author has claimed Prince William and Kate Middleton have made it "clear" the Sussexes are not welcome in the Royal Family. Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, are said to be working on rehabilitating their image after a drama-filled few years, but the couple failed to attend another Christmas with the Royal Family, opting to remain in California.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's plans for redemption in 2024 have been ruined, according to one royal author, after they decided to spend Christmas in California, rather than with the other Royals at Sandringham. It comes after a rather mixed year for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with Prince Harry's memoir Spare becoming the fastest selling non-fiction book in the UK since records began.

The Royal Family wished people across the nation all the best for 2024 as the hours count down until the bells ring at midnight, as their official Twitter page posted a special message on New Year's Eve.

Prince William once got into a "water fight" when he let loose during a Royal Family Christmas party. It has been revealed that the Prince was playing around with a member of staff in St James' Palace, while in the company of Prince Harry and Camilla. Former royal butler Grant Harrold, recalled the moment and other "hilarious" times in an interview with Slingo.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Christmases have been different since they left the royal family in 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last spent the festive period with the Royal Family on the Sandringham Estate in 2018. A year later, they decided to celebrate in America with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland before stepping back from The Firm in 2020 and permanently moving to the States.

Prince William has revealed that he loves to play a Christmas game with his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, which often leaves everyone "very cross".The Prince of Wales shared this during a special chat in 2021 with Radio Marsden, a radio station serving the Royal Marsden Hospital, where he is a patron. During the conversation, a boy named Henry asked Prince William about his favourite board game.To this, the future King replied: "Henry, we are playing board games with the children quite a lot.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's hopes of a Christmas reunion in the UK have been dashed due to fresh drama. Fans were hoping that 2023 might be the year the couple would patch things up with the rest of the Royal Family and spend Christmas at Sandringham. In recent months, there have been whispers from sources close to Harry and Meghan suggesting they were keen on spending the festive season with their extended family in Britain.

After two days of eating and drinking in lavish style, Boxing Day is when many of the royals get up early, pull on their waxed Barbour jackets and wellington boots, and load their guns for a day of shooting on the 20,000-acre Sandringham estate. Although for many of us the day is about strolling off the excesses, playing games and snuggling in front of the TV, senior members of the family are expected to join the hunt for plump pheasants or grouse.

King Charles III gave his second Christmas speech to the nation, but there was no mention of his youngest son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle. The speech, aired on BBC One, showcased Buckingham Palace and highlighted the charity work done by Prince William, The Princess of Wales, and their children in 2023.

Christmas morning in the UK saw the King lead the royal family’s traditional walk to church from his home of Sandringham in Norfolk, eastern England, with some familiar faces on display.

The royal family marked Christmas Day by attending the traditional festive church service on the King’s Sandringham estate.

Along with cringey cracker jokes, fights over the best Quality Street chocolate and post-lunch naps in front of the TV, Christmas Day would not feel right if we didn’t see the royals heading off on their seasonal trip to church. While the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham is a strictly private affair, all eyes turn on the family as they make their way there, often stopping to chat to locals who gather to give their seasonal greetings. Last year, the family headed to church for the first time without Queen Elizabeth II leading the way.

Despite being settled and happy in Montecito, California, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reported to be thinking about a move to LA. The couple have suffered a number of setbacks this year after ending their Spotify contract early and being branded "biggest losers" of the year by The Hollywood Reporter. Omid Scobie's biography Endgame has also said to have caused a backlash for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Gift-giving can be a challenging affair when your nearest and dearest already own priceless jewels, designer clothes and luxury cars. So instead of splashing out on expensive, over-the-top items, the royals don’t take seasonal gifting seriously.

Far from the world of royal banquets and formal regal traditions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prefer a more low-key Christmas these days. Since moving to balmy Montecito in California in March 2020, Harry, Meghan and their two children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, have opted for relaxed festive celebrations on their luxury five-acre estate. “We’re probably talking barbecues and walks on the beach for the Sussexes rather than obligatory black-tie dinners and pheasant shoots at Sandringham,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "might not be included" in King Charles III's Christmas tradition, according to reports. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and moved to the States, have rarely returned to the UK since, and have been absent from every single Christmas at Sandringham since 2018.

The Royal Family will be gathering in Sandringham to celebrate Christmas together, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won't be joining in on the fun.

Members of the Royal Family will spend Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk with their annual trip to church and a host of festive traditions. One of which is opening their presents on Christmas Eve, a tradition they've held for years. King Charles and Queen Camilla will be hosting Christmas this year, joined by their families including Prince William and Kate Middleton along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.