Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have skipped Christmas at Sandringham four years in a row.
But, even so, former butler Grant Harrold believes the right thing to do is to extend an invitation and leave it up to them if they’d like to accept – something reports indicate did not happen.
Harrold – Charles’s butler from 2004 to 2011 – believes that “if they aren’t invited, it doesn’t look good on King Charles”.
However, he adds to Slingo “that if they [the Sussexes] decide not to go, that’s on them”.
“But it would be a bad thing either way. It’s a big statement to make,” the former butler said.
READ MORE: King Charles makes three drastic changes to the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas plans
The last time Harry and Meghan spent Christmas with the Royal Family was in 2018.
And t’s not clear what Harry and Meghan’s plans are for this year, with Harrold saying, ”Whether Harry and Meghan will be involved, we don’t know.” Even so, he is hopeful, sharing his thoughts on the matter, “I would like to think they would be there, especially at Christmas.”
In 2019, the Sussexes released a statement, saying: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month.
“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.
“The decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the Royal Family, and has the support of Her Majesty the Queen.”
“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.
“The decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the Royal Family, and has the support of Her Majesty the Queen.”