The real reason Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to stay home on Christmas

They were home for the holidays.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle enjoyed a quiet Christmas in California with children Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3 — despite reports they were invited to spend the festive season with relatives in the UK.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told The Mirror: “Harry and Meghan were invited for Christmas at Althorp with thrice-married [Princess Diana’s brother] Uncle Charles, now Earl Spencer, but decided to stay in California.”

“Meghan says it’s important for her that Archie and Lilibet can have ‘connective memories’ of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy the traditions like putting out ‘carrots for the reindeer,” Sewartd stated.

However, Harry and Meghan reportedly enjoyed the day with the actress’s mother Doria at their Montecito home.

As for Prince Harry’s kin, all working members of the royal family congregated in St. Mary Magdalene Church on Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on Christmas Day.

King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, who have attended morning mass at Sandringham Church annually on Christmas for years, were joined by Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The monarch and his wife led the royal family’s walk for the third year with the royal family greeting members of the public on the way.

Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, was also in attendance, as was her daughter Zara Tindall and her former rugby player husband, Mike Tindall. Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, also attended the service.

One well-wisher, John Loughrey, spoke to Sky News about his experience with Kate, noting, “I’m on top of the world.”

“I told Catherine she was an inspiration. She said thank you, and said she liked my badges,” he added.

The family is ending a difficult year as both the king and the princess were diagnosed with cancer.

Last February, Buckingham Palace revealed that Charles had been diagnosed with cancer and had started treatment. The cancer was discovered in January after he underwent a planned procedure to treat a benign enlarged prostate. 

“I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days,” he said in a statement at the time. “As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement.”

In March, Kate revealed that she had also been undergoing cancer treatment for about a month. In September, the Princess of Wales announced she had finished her chemotherapy treatment.

“I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment,” she shared in a statement on X at the time.