Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry have left the Queen “hurt” after opting to snub spending Christmas at Sandringham with the Royal Family.
A source close to the family admitted they would likely spend the festive period either with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland in the US or in Windsor. The Christmas will be Archie’s first. According to The Sun, Harry has spent every Christmas with the Royal Family in Sandringham, bar one in (when on tour in Afghanistan.)
But in a surprise snub, the source said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wanted to recharge.
The source said: “They need some time away to recharge and decide their plans for next year. ”
Despite their best intentions, the move has caused controversy with experts.
The couple are set to take a six-week period off following their South African exploits earlier this year.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and the Queen(Image: GETTY)
The Christmas will be Archie’s first(Image: GETTY)
Reports have suggested that the couple would spend Thanksgiving in the US.
However, royal biographer Ingrid Seward believes the decision will leave th e Queen “hurt”.
She explained: “Christmas at Sandringham can be quite stressful so perhaps they don’t want to go with Archie at such a young age.
“Having said that, Sandringham has played host to many many children through the ages and is well set up for them.
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The couple attending am emorial event last week(Image: GETTY)
“I think it’s sad they don’t want to be part of the family gathering, especially now the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are in their dotage.
“The Queen might be a little hurt but she’s far too gracious to ever let it show or be known.”
Meghan and Harry will take their leave after the Duke attends a Royal Albert Hall event on Sunday.
And Ms Seward added: “It does seem to be nothing to do with Archie and to do with their own personal feelings.”
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Queen Elizabeth II(Image: GETTY)
Ms Ragland lives in LA.
Thanksgiving takes place on November 28, so there is speculation the couple could spend the majority of their break in the US.
They are also reportedly looking for a US base.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, royal expert Dan Wootton said: “What I have learned is that after six weeks in California they are considering a potential part-time move there.
The Royal Family tree(Image: EXPRESS)
“We could be looking at a situation where they might spend great swathes of the year in the US. ”
He added: “Now this hasn’t been decided yet.
“They will have to work out location, work out exactly where they want to be.
“But the suggestions are very much California because that is, of course, where Meghan’s mother Doria is. ”
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