Prince Harry Meghan Markle reportedly prioritized their children when they decided to spend Christmas at home in California.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed the holiday with their son, Prince Archie, 5, and daughter, Princess Lilibet, 3, at their home in the exclusive Montecito area.
According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, the couple chose to stay home after declining an invitation to celebrate Christmas at Althorp House, in Northampton, UK, an estate owned by the late Princess Diana's younger brother, Charles, Earl Spencer.
Seward told the Mirror: “Harry and Meghan were invited to spend Christmas at Althorp with their thrice-married Uncle Charles, now Earl Spencer, but they decided to stay in California.” “Meghan says it is important to her that Archie and Lilibet have “connected memories” of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy traditions such as offering “carrots to the reindeer.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to spend Christmas at their home in California to create new memories and traditions for their children. (Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)
Despite the rift between the Sussexes and the royal family, Harry and Earl Spencer continue to share a close relationship.
Harry and Meghan have visited Althorp on multiple occasions over the past few years The Duke's uncle came His nephew's Invictus Games 10th anniversary party in London on May 8.
Meghan says it's important to her that Archie and Lilibet have “connected memories” of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy traditions like giving “carrots to the reindeer.”
Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, was reportedly the only other family member to join the Sussexes in their quiet Christmas celebration.
The couple declined an invitation from Princess Diana's brother, Charles Earl Spencer, to celebrate the holiday at Althorp in England. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Representatives for Harry and Meghan did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
During an interview with Marie Claire magazine in November, Meghan expressed her love for the holidays.
She noted that her two children are now “3 and 5 years old, so every year the situation gets better.”
Do you like what you are reading? Click here for more entertainment news
“At first, I think, as a mom with kids, you enjoy having them there, but they don't understand everything that's going on yet,” the former “Suits” star said. “But now we're at the age where I can't wait to see it through their lenses every year.
“Every vacation is a new adventure.”
On December 16, Harry and Markle They launched their holiday card, Which included a grid of six images. “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and the Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year,” an accompanying message said.
These six photos included a rare glimpse of Archie and Lilibet. In the family photo, Harry is seen bending down to greet his daughter with a hug, and Markle is seen doing the same with Archie.
Harry and Meghan shared a rare glimpse of their children in their new holiday card. (Getty/Archewell)
Earlier this month, People magazine reported that the Sussexes had not received an invitation from the royal family to join them at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk for their annual Christmas holiday.
Harry and Meghan have not spent Christmas at Sandringham with the royal family since 2018, the same year they married.
On Christmas Day, King Charles III, 76, and his wife Queen Camilla, 77, took part in the royal family's traditional procession to attend morning Mass at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham.
Click here to subscribe to the entertainment newsletter
They were joined by Charles' son Prince William, 42, Kate Middleton, 42, and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
Other royals in attendance included Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, 74; her daughter Zara Tindall, 43; and Mike Tindall, 46 years old. Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, 60, and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, also attended the service.
The royal family celebrated Christmas at Sandringham. (Getty Images)
It's been a tumultuous year for the royal family. In February, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles was being treated for cancer, although the type was not specified. Earlier this year, the Queen was treated for an enlarged prostate.
In January, Kensington Palace announced that Kate planned to have abdominal surgery. She remained out of sight for several months, raising speculation about her health.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In March, Kate put an end to speculation by announcing that she had also been diagnosed with the condition With an unknown form of cancer.
In September, Kate announced that she had completed chemotherapy. In a video announcing her progress, she said that the road to full recovery will be long, and she will walk it day by day.
She said she will make some limited engagements until the end of the year.
Bree Stimstone and Janelle Ash of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
