Prince Harry's Intimate Christmas Day Plans and Reflections on Missing Royals Revealed - OK! Magazine

The Royal Family is in the final stages of preparing for their festive celebrations at Sandringham, with Christmas just around the corner.

Allegedly, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, along with their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have been invited but seemingly plan to spend the season in California.

This decision is hardly a shock considering the recent year's events which included insinuated criticisms through various media platforms. However, this means the couple will likely spend a quiet festive season with their children.

Jennie Bond, former royal correspondent for the BBC, suggests this could be an opportunity for Harry to contemplate what he and his children might be missing in the UK.

In an exclusive interview with OK!, Jennie stated: 'Harry has expressed in his book that he occasionally reminisces about happier times… or different times, when the family assembled for events or special occasions.

'He appears to have warm memories of those moments, especially of his closeness with his father and his good relationship with William. It is clear that he has not lost his emotional attachment to his family.

'His recent court case further exposed this when he expressed his desire for his children to feel as cosy in the UK as they do in the USA - and to appreciate their ancestry.

'Christmas can be an extremely emotional occasion for many, especially when a rift within the family exists.

'Therefore, it is likely that Harry will spare some thoughts for his family in the UK, and hopefully he will follow up his birthday phone call to his father with one for Christmas - although Omid Scobie’s book may have hampered the progress made during that call.

'Interestingly, there were unconfirmed stories suggesting the Sussexes would have accepted an invitation to celebrate Christmas at Sandringham.

'The lack of denial from their side may imply that Harry still wishes to pass on the tradition of familial gathering to his offspring.'

When asked about his possible feelings of missing out on the festivities, Jennie is confident that his children's participation in the day's events will bring him joy, while he takes a moment to reflect on what he is missing back home.

'To be completely honest, while enjoying the Californian Christmas sunshine, I don’t think Harry would miss the winter coats and the formal church walk ceremony at Sandringham!' said Jennie jokingly.

'The true essence of Christmas is children. It's likely that Harry will focus on ensuring Archie and Lilibet have the best time possible. I suspect that they will be spending time with Doria in Montecito, forming a significantly smaller family unit than the Christmas gatherings Harry was part of in the past.

'He might take a moment to ponder how much fun it could have been for his children to play with their numerous cousins on Christmas Day.'

As for the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, they follow many traditions stemming from their German ancestors. These traditions include opening presents on Christmas Eve, a practice that has continued for generations.

Before Queen Elizabeth II's demise, royal expert Robert Jobson told The Express: “On Christmas Eve when the clan gather, the Queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren complete the decorations of the 20ft Christmas tree in the White Drawing Room.

“Presents are opened at tea time, in accordance with the royal family's adherence to the German tradition of opening presents on Christmas Eve.”

He added, “Gifts are arranged in the Red Drawing Room on a white linen-covered table, with tags indicating the exact location for each gift pile. Once everyone has arrived, the royal guests partake in traditional Christmas activities including putting final touches on the Christmas tree and exchanging inexpensive, funny gifts.”