This year has been a tough one for King Charles III, with health challenges including prostate surgery in January and ongoing cancer treatment after a diagnosis in February. It’s understandable that he might feel a bit down, especially with his extended family being somewhat fragmented. Unfortunately, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children—Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3—won’t be joining the royal Christmas celebrations in person, but the King is expected to connect with them through a video call.
Grant Harrold, the King’s former butler, believes that King Charles will almost certainly have some form of communication with his grandchildren on Christmas Day, whether it’s through a Zoom call or another platform. While Harrold doesn’t anticipate a direct conversation with Harry and Meghan, he’s confident that Charles will see Archie and Lili open the gifts he sends them. Given Charles’s traditional nature, it’s likely these gifts will be along the lines of classic, timeless toys rather than modern gadgets like gaming consoles. Harrold imagines something like a wooden farm set, a nod to the types of toys sold at the Highgrove shop, which are all “very traditional.”
The video call could also serve as a way for Charles to engage with Harry and Meghan, as it’s unlikely the children will be put in front of the camera without conversation. Harrold expects there to be some form of communication with the Sussexes, as “families do that” during the holidays.
There’s also an underlying sense of sadness surrounding the absence of Harry, Meghan, and their children at Sandringham this Christmas. Charles is described as a “family man” who, if given the choice, would have everyone together. Harrold reminisced about past Christmases with Prince William and Harry, noting how close they were, and expressed hope that this holiday season could serve as a turning point for reconciliation with the Sussexes. As Harrold puts it, Christmas is often a time for families to heal rifts, and even a virtual call could contribute to that process.
Although the Sussexes haven’t spent Christmas at Sandringham since 2019, it’s clear that there remains a desire for connection. The last we heard, Archie and Lili had delighted Charles with a recording of themselves singing “Happy Birthday” for his 75th birthday, though it’s unclear whether this was done through a video call or simply via email. Whatever the form of communication, it’s clear that Charles values family and likely hopes for healing in time for future holidays.