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This year's Christmas festivities at Sandringham estate are set to unfold without the presence of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as they were not included on the guest list. Last week, aides from Buckingham Palace began reaching out to finalize arrangements for the traditional royal Christmas dinner, which will take place in the grand ballroom of Sandringham House to accommodate the large number of attendees expected. A palace source revealed, "We anticipate a significant turnout for this year's gathering. The ballroom was utilized for the first time last year and it was a resounding success, so we're opting for the same setup again this time." Guests will enjoy a buffet-style roast, allowing family members to serve themselves at their leisure.
While the Sussexes will be absent, the celebration is still expected to be a grand family affair. Queen Consort Camilla has extended invitations to her children and grandchildren, ensuring a lively gathering. At 77, Camilla has two children and five grandchildren. Her son Tom Parker Bowles has a daughter Lola, 17, and a son Freddy, 14. Her daughter Laura Lopes is the mother of Eliza, 16, and twins Gus and Louis, 14.
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However, not all family members will be staying on the estate. Prince William and Princess Kate will be residing at their nearby home of Anmer Hall but will join in the festivities. Princess Beatrice is also expected to make an appearance this year, proudly showcasing her baby bump and introducing her daughter Sienna. Beatrice, 36, will celebrate alongside her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, their 3-year-old daughter Sienna, and Edoardo's 8-year-old son Christopher "Wolfie" from a previous relationship.
Princess Anne along with her children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall and their families are also anticipated to join. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester along with their two children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn, received invitations. The Duke and Duchess of York along with Princess Eugenie and her children have also received invitations. In total, around 100 guests are expected to gather at Sandringham, including members of the royal family, their children and grandchildren, extended family, and Queen Consort Camilla's relatives.
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A smaller group will partake in the more intimate Christmas Eve celebrations, where close family members exchange humorous gifts over afternoon tea. On Christmas morning, the royal family will come together for breakfast before making their way to St. Mary Magdalene Church for the traditional Christmas service.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle has once again sparked conversation, but this time it's not about her outfits or philanthropic efforts. Instead, the topic of interest revolves around her engagement ring, or rather its recent absence. The Duchess of Sussex was seen without the iconic diamond ring that Prince Harry proposed to her with in 2017, raising questions about its significance and fueling speculation about the couple's status.
Recently, Meghan and Harry have been making more solo public appearances, suggesting a possible change in their approach to both their public and private lives. Some royal commentators have weighed in on what these solo engagements might signify. One expert believes that despite all the controversies surrounding him, Prince Harry still holds appeal among the British public. The duchess's latest public outing was to Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, where she marked International Day of the Girl by spending time with young girls in activities like drawing and crafts. Meghan was stylishly dressed as usual, but observers quickly noted her engagement ring was missing, despite her still wearing her wedding band, leading to even more speculation.
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The absence of Meghan's ring from her finger has caused some to speculate about potential issues in her relationship with Harry. However, others argue it could simply be a fashion choice or practical decision. This isn't the first time she has been seen without it - at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf, she was similarly spotted without the ring. At that time, sources said the ring was undergoing repairs, explaining its absence. The ring did make a return earlier in the year, but now its absence is again a topic of discussion.
These recent solo appearances suggest a broader shift in their public lives. While Harry has been promoting various initiatives around the world, Meghan has focused on her own ventures. She attended a charity gala for Children's Hospital L.A. wearing the engagement ring. In addition to her charitable work, reports suggest Meghan is paying more attention to her lifestyle brand, hinting at a pivot toward commercial endeavors. Meanwhile, Harry seems focused on his philanthropic efforts through organizations like the Invictus Games, which he remains passionate about.
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So in summary, while Harry dedicates himself to charity work, Meghan appears to be embracing more business opportunities. This dynamic hints at how they plan to navigate their roles going forward in a way that remains aligned personally but allows them to pursue separate interests professionally. As they continue to build post-royal identities on their own terms, their story remains far from over.
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