Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning to spend Christmas in California with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, rather than joining the British royal family for its traditional festive gathering at Sandringham.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, citing a friend of the couple, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex intend to return to the United States in the coming weeks for the holiday season.

The reported plan comes after the couple's return to the United Kingdom in late August 2026, following several years of living in California after stepping back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020.

Despite their reported move to Britain, Harry and Meghan have retained their home in Montecito, an affluent community near Santa Barbara, where they previously established their family life away from the monarchy.

Their reported Christmas plans have renewed speculation about how they intend to balance their lives in Britain and the United States, particularly as questions remain about their relationship with members of the royal family.

Harry's relationship with his father, King Charles III, has been the subject of public attention for years. The couple's return to Britain had prompted speculation that it could create further opportunities for family contact, including a closer relationship between the King and his grandchildren.

However, the reported decision to spend Christmas in California does not, on its own, establish whether a family reunion has been ruled out or whether the Sussexes have made a permanent decision about where they will live.

Meghan's professional future has also attracted attention, with reports suggesting she may be considering a return to acting while continuing her business and philanthropic activities. Neither her reported career plans nor the couple's Christmas arrangements should be treated as confirmed without a direct statement from their representatives.

The British royal family traditionally celebrates Christmas at Sandringham, the royal estate in Norfolk, where the monarch and other members of the family typically gather for the holiday.

Harry and Meghan's reported plans would mean spending the festive period away from that gathering, although the couple have not publicly announced their arrangements for Christmas 2026.

Their decision is likely to attract interest because of the wider questions surrounding their relationship with the monarchy and their children's connections to both sides of the Atlantic. For now, however, the details remain based on media reports and sources speaking anonymously rather than an official announcement from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia