King Charles may still be open to seeing his youngest son, Prince Harry, during the Christmas holidays.
As King Charles prepares to spend Christmas at Sandringham with his family, royal experts say Prince Harry has been on his mind. Even though there are ongoing family tensions, experts believe the king has never fully closed the emotional door on his son.
Royal commentator Amanda Matta explained that while an invitation to Harry is not impossible, the situation is complicated because problems between Prince Harry and Prince William have not been resolved. She said the king wants this Christmas to feel meaningful because he is very aware of time, legacy, and family. For the royal family, Christmas is a chance to come together and reset.
This comes as King Charles continues treatment for cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2024. A source said the king wants to make this Christmas extra special in case it ends up being his last, even though no one knows the full details of his health.
Experts say the past year has been difficult for the king. There have been family conflicts, ongoing health struggles, and changes within the royal family. Because of this, he wants Christmas to feel important and filled with togetherness. Queen Camilla has been a strong support system for him, and Princess Kate’s recovery from cancer has also lifted his spirits.
Prince Harry has been distant from the royal family since he and Meghan Markle stepped back as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California. They said media pressure and lack of support from the palace were the reasons for leaving. Since then, Harry and Meghan have spoken publicly about their struggles, including in interviews, documentaries, and Harry’s memoir Spare, which caused further damage to family relationships.
In May, Prince Harry said he wanted to reconcile with his family and expressed concern about how much time his father may have left. In September, Harry and King Charles met privately for tea in London, marking their first meeting in 18 months. While the meeting was seen as positive, sources say it did not lead to major changes.
Royal experts believe it is unlikely that Harry and Meghan will attend Christmas at Sandringham. Some say their presence would bring too much media attention and distract from the holiday. Others worry about trust issues and possible leaks of private family matters.
Preparations for Christmas at Sandringham are already underway. The estate has long been a holiday gathering place for the royal family, a tradition started by Queen Elizabeth II. This year’s celebrations are expected to be bittersweet because of the king’s health, but still focused on togetherness and appreciation for time spent as a family.
Experts say Prince William and Princess Kate, along with their children, will be central to the king’s Christmas. Kate announced in early 2024 that she had cancer and later shared that she is now in remission. Her recovery has brought hope and comfort to the family.
