Prince Harry is reportedly spending Christmas in Montecito. (Image: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Prince Harry is unlikely to spend Christmas with the Royal Family anytime soon, following years of hostile relations, an expert believes. Veteran royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said he does not see the Royal Family and the Sussexes seeking a shared Christmas, even if there is a thawing of relations in some areas.

He explained that reconciliation and Christmas are not the same thing, and that progress on one issue does not necessarily unlock the other. Mr Fitzwilliams said: “What happens after the 2027 Birmingham Invictus Games, of course, is yet to be seen, but I can’t see them wanting to spend Christmas with the Royal Family or vice versa.”

The expert explained how a positive outcome with his UK security review might not mean a return to Sandringham. As reported in GB News, he said: “After all, the fact that Harry’s security is being reviewed and he will almost certainly get what he wants. This is certainly positive, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they want to spend Christmas together.”

It comes as the Home Office launches a new comprehensive assessment of Harry’s threat level and security needs after he lost a lengthy legal battle to have automatic taxpayer police level protection when visiting the UK after leaving as a full time-working royal.

The Sussexes have not joined the Royal Family at Sandringham since 2018, but the festive period has repeatedly become a marker of separation.

It is not expected that Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, will join King Charles and the wider Royal Family in Sandringham. Instead, they are thought to be celebrating in Montecito, California at their home.

Mr Fitzwilliams’s comments suggest that a Sandringham return would generate a global story and would likely shift the entire Christmas coverage cycle away from the King and the Waleses onto the Sussexes.

Harry and Meghan in Sandringham in 2018 (Image: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Image)

Meanwhile, Meghan has been focusing on her own holiday traditions, as mentioned on her Netflix show, ‘With Love, Meghan’.

The Duchess of Sussex did, however, make a nod to British customs as she shared her knowledge of British Christmas crackers with American celebrity guests. In the special, Meghan introduced New York restaurateur Will Guidara to the tradition, demonstrating how to craft the festive items.

She explained that pulling crackers forms a significant part of Christmas culture, telling him: “Typically people cross arms and do it.”

Meghan described the experience as meaningful, saying: “It actually does feel really connected and sweet. The way that I really started to know them was they would always have almost a fortune cookie size joke or riddle and something sweet.”