Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have celebrated Christmas in California with their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet – and a royal expert believes it’s in stark contrast to the festivities enjoyed by the Royal Family on the other side of the Atlantic.

In years gone by, Christmas for Prince Harry would have been a huge family affair.

But more recently, the festivities enjoyed by Harry, wife Meghan Markle and children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have been worlds away from the celebrations at Sandringham. The Sussexes have spent the past few festive seasons at home in California, with only one relative joining them – Meghan’s mum Doria. At a recent solo outing, Meghan touched on what Christmas would look like for the Sussexes, saying they would have a great meal and play games before hinting they would have a singalong with a guitar.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are spending Christmas in California

And royal biographer Ingrid Seward says this couldn’t be more different for Harry who used to view Christmas at Sandringham as the “golden ticket”. She told the Mirror: “The present opening on Christmas Eve with his extended family and then church and traditional Christmas lunch the next day. Then the Boxing Day pheasant shoot and in between loads of party games and drinking.

“Since his marriage to Meghan in 2018, Harry has only had Christmas at Sandringham once in December the same year. Instead, he has embraced the traditions of the ‘happy holidays’ favoured by his adopted country. The only relative he has in California is his mother-in-law, Doria and according to Meghan, she will be have been with them at their Montecito home.

“They will have picked a tree from the rows upon rows of Christmas pines in one of the local stores. Their house will be decorated, and the yard (garden) strung with festive lights. The wealthy residents of Montecito hire interior designers to decorate their houses and trees to perfection.

“It would not look good if Meghan who publicises herself as the all-American homemaker was to hire someone to adorn their house and decorate their tree. She will have done it herself and made the gingerbread house as is traditional in America.” While Harry and Meghan decorated their home and gingerbread houses, their royal relatives turned up en-masse in Sandringham ready for the big celebrations there. And it appears no invitation was forthcoming for Harry and Meghan despite a heartbreaking dilemma for King Charles.

Ingrid added: “Back at Sandringham it will have been the traditional Christmas UK style that Harry knows so well. King Charles would have loved the opportunity to see his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet, but he knew inviting Harry and Meghan would have been awkward for the rest of the family. So, there was no official invitation.

The royals head to church at Sandringham on Christmas Day last year

“Harry and Meghan were invited for Christmas at Althorp with thrice-married Uncle Charles, now Earl Spencer, but have decided to stay in California. Meghan says it’s important for her that Archie and Lilibet can have ‘connective memories’ of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy the traditions like putting out ‘carrots for the reindeer.’