Harry & Meghan's Royal Snub

Duke and duchess face criticism after telling Queen they won’t spend Christmas with her

- Jennie Noonan

Christmas Day at the Queen’s country estate of Sandringham is a tradition dating back decades. The time spent greeting cheering wellwishers on the morning walk to church before the four generations tuck into a traditional lunch is cherished by the whole family, especially the monarch.

After a year of rumoured feuds and bad feeling between the ‘fab four’ royals, this year the Queen hoped the occasion could help bring the whole clan closer together.

But Prince Harry has sent shockwaves through royal circles by announcing he and Meghan will be spending baby Archie’s first festive season abroad.

“Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, Their Royal Highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland,” read a statement released by the palace.