The Queen Is Hurt By This Decision From Meghan And Harry

They've been drifting farther and farther away from the royal family this year, and now it seems that includes the holidays as well.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have had quite the year, with controversy and criticism seeming to follow them everywhere, from private jet to private jet, and all the way to Africa.

Prince Harry's feud with his brother Prince William has also been a thorn in the side of the Windsor's. With the holidays approaching, it seems some drama may be playing out, as it does in all extended families at this time of the year.

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Christmas With Meghan's Mother

For the last couple weeks it has been pure speculation what Harry and Meghan would do for the holidays, however, Buckingham Palace has finally confirmed what we all assumed.

They released a statement saying, “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month. Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, Their Royal Highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland. This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the Royal Family, and has the support of Her Majesty The Queen.”

Kate And William Have Opted Out In The Past

While this does seem like a strange turn of events, especially with all the rumors of a rift going on in the family between Princes William and Harry as well as their wives, it's not surprising.

Even Prince William and Kate have spent part of the Christmas holidays away from Sandringham. In 2016, along with their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, they spent the Christmas holiday with Kate's family. They were seen attending a church service near Buckleberry.

It's a common struggle among married couples; who's family do you spend the holidays with? It seems most opt to alternate each year, and this may be what Harry and Meghan have decided to do as well.

With Rumors Of A Rift, It's Not The Best Timing

While it's not odd to alternate the holidays with the in-laws, the timing does seem strange. Harry and Meghan have had a tough year in which rumors of drifting away from the royal family are out in full force. Thus, it would make sense to spend Christmas with the Windsors in a bid to show they remain close. It seems that choosing to stay away for the holidays will only create more problems.

It makes one wonder how the Queen feels about all this. While she is known for her stiff upper lip and never showing her feelings, she will obviously be hurt by this turn of events.

Feathers Will Be Ruffled

In an article for the Daily Mail, Richard Kay writes, "You would have thought that when your grandparents are as elderly as the Queen and Prince Philip, making life as easy and uncomplicated for them would be a matter of course."

He continued, "Which makes Prince Harry’s decision to stay away from Sandringham this Christmas all the more baffling. To the Queen, for whom the tradition of the family gathering is a key date in her calendar, Harry and Meghan’s absence will be a matter of great sadness. It will also be a source of frustration."

The dinner table conversation at Sandringham this year will be quite interesting. Who wouldn't love to be a fly on the wall for that?