Reason Prince Harry and Meghan Markle turned down family invite this Christmas revealed

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle turned down Christmas with royal relatives for an ‘important reason’.

While the rift between the royals is widely known about, there are some members of the family that Harry and Meghan are still in good contact with.

So good in fact, that they were invited to spend Christmas at a royal estate.

According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, despite being offered to spend the big day at Althorp House, the Northampton, U.K, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ‘prioritised’ their children being at home.

The estate is owned by the late Princess Diana's younger brother, Charles, Earl Spencer.

Talking to the Mirror, Seward said: “Harry and Meghan were invited for Christmas at Althorp with thrice-married Uncle Charles, now Earl Spencer, but have decided to stay in California.”

The family-of-four spent Christmas in California. (Gabriel Aponte/Getty Images)

The couple have visited Althorp House on multiple occasions over the last few years, and Earl Spencer continues to support Harry’s work.

The duke's uncle attended his nephew's Invictus Games' 10th anniversary service in London May 8.

According to the insider, it was important to Meghan that the children have ‘connective memories’ of spending Thanksgiving and Christmas at home.

He added: “Meghan says it’s important for her that Archie and Lilibet can have ‘connective memories’ of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy the traditions like putting out ‘carrots for the reindeer.’"

It’s been reported that the family-of-four spent Christmas at their home in Montecito, California.

And the only other member of the family invited was Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were seen on Christmas Day at Sandringham House. (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Meghan has previously spoken about the magic of Christmas with her two young children - Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

During a November interview with Marie Claire, the Duchess said: “At first, I think, as a mom with children, you’re just enjoying having them there, but they’re not understanding everything that’s happening yet.

“But now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year.”

She noted that every ‘holiday’ is a ‘new adventure’.

The Sussex’s released a controversial Christmas card earlier in the month, which read: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year.”

The card gave royal fans a glimpse at the children, who were last seen by the public during a brief appearance in the couple's Harry & Meghan docuseries, which landed on Netflix back in 2022.