Yahoo Movies Meghan and Harry are missing the Queen's pre-Christmas parties
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are breaking with tradition this year by choosing not to spend Christmas Day with the rest of the royal family. But it's not just the day itself that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are missing; they'll also be absent from two other festive royal traditions.
Every year, the Queen hosts two parties in the run up to Christmas. First, there's the big staff do at Buckingham Palace to thank employees for all their work throughout the year - which is also attended by senior royal family members - and then there's a pre-Christmas lunch at the Palace for the whole family. Both events are taking place this week; the staff party is tonight (16 December), with the lunch scheduled for Wednesday (18 December). But two royal faces in the shape of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be missing from both.
The couple is currently on an extended leave of absence from royal duties. The Sussexes haven't been photographed in public since the beginning of last month, and it's believed they're currently abroad with baby son, Archie.
Speaking on the HeirPod podcast recently, royal expert Omid Scobie confirmed Meghan and Harry were still "away", most likely in the USA with Meghan's mum, Doria Ragland. "The Sussexes are away, they’re on their break right up until Christmas," said Scobie. "They celebrated Thanksgiving privately with close family, which is lovely.
"It’s a longtime trip that they’re on. I think we are really going to see them away until Christmas, as far as I'm aware, which is good for them."
An insider confirmed to the Mail Online that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's break means they'll miss this week's festivities, despite having attended together for the past two years. But the couple's absence is no snub "whatsoever", it was clarified, with the Queen being completely understanding about their need for some family time.
Typically, all members of the royal family - including the youngest generation, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - attend the Queen's lunch, which takes place just before she heads off to Sandringham in Norfolk for the Christmas season. Last year, Prince William, Kate Middleton and the kids were photographed driving to the palace for the occasion, as were Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
But it seems baby Archie Harrison will have to wait a year longer before he makes his debut at a royal Christmas event. It's not known exactly where Meghan, Harry, Doria and Archie will be spending Christmas, but wherever it is, we hope it's just the quiet, restful break the family needs after their busy year.
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