Sorry, Not This Year, Your Majesty
YOU South Africa|28 November 2019
Eyebrows have been raised over Harry and Meghan’s decision to spend Archie’s first Christmas away from the royals
Sandy Cook
Sorry, Not This Year, Your Majesty

CHRISTMAS. It’s a time to munch mince pies, pull crackers and open presents around a tinselly tree. And no one loves being surrounded by her extended family at this time of year more than the 93-year-old matriarch of the world’s most famous family.

Except this year a certain rather tricky trio will be missing from the table when the queen tucks into the turkey with her nearest and dearest. Harry and Meghan have turned down their invitation to Sandringham, the sprawl ing country estate to which the queen retreats for the festive season – and it’s being perceived as a right royal snub.

Royal experts are calling this yet another nail in the coffin of relations between the prince and the family he once fitted into so seam lessly. Considering the tension, they say Harry should’ve bitten the bullet and said yes to his grandmother.

He and Meghan may have shown signs of family loyalty recently, such as when Prince Charles turned 71 and they post ed a previously unseen picture of father, son and grandson at Archie’s christening. “Happy birthday to his royal highness – Sir, Pa Grandpa!” they wrote on Instagram.

But it did little to silence the critics. A show of togetherness at Christmas would’ve made the world of difference to a couple dogged controversies. Instead, the duke and his wife insist on pulling away – and each time, the crisis deepens.

GOING IT ALONE

Harry was just three months old when his parents took him to Sandringham for his first Christmas and he has spent every festive season there since, except for 2012 when he was on a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

But this year, the Sussexes have chosen to spend Archie’s first Christmas with Meghan’s mom, Doria Ragland, at their newly renovated home, Frogmore Cottage, in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 28 November 2019 من YOU South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 28 November 2019 من YOU South Africa.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من YOU SOUTH AFRICA مشاهدة الكل
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
YOU South Africa

HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST

With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
YOU South Africa

SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES

John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
YOU South Africa

SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG

A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
LIAM LAID TO REST
YOU South Africa

LIAM LAID TO REST

More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
SHILOH HANGS OUT
YOU South Africa

SHILOH HANGS OUT

THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.

time-read
1 min  |
5 December 2024
LEO IN LOVE
YOU South Africa

LEO IN LOVE

He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down

time-read
3 mins  |
5 December 2024
PACKING A PUNCH
YOU South Africa

PACKING A PUNCH

Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
YOU South Africa

I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD

As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome

time-read
5 mins  |
5 December 2024
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
YOU South Africa

'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'

A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars

time-read
4 mins  |
5 December 2024
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
YOU South Africa

THE CLAWS ARE OUT!

Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William

time-read
7 mins  |
5 December 2024