Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, won't be joining in the royal holiday fun with the rest of her daughter's extended family this Christmas. Ragland was invited to Sandringham where Queen Elizabeth II and the family usually spend the holiday, however, Ragland opted out of festivities at the Norfolk compound this year, according to a People report on Monday.
Markle will spend her first official Christmas as a new royal with her husband Prince Harry, his brother's family, Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their three children. Harry's father, Prince Charles, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and other members of the royal family are expected to participate in holiday functions at Sandringham.
The event will also mark Harry and Markle's last time spending Christmas at Sandringham as a duo. The couple is expecting their first child together. Markle is due sometime in spring 2019, which means they'll have a new member of the family partaking in the holiday festivities next year.
Although it's uncommon for non-royals to join the monarchy during their annual countryside Christmas event, Markle did accompany Harry to Sandringham last year following their engagement announcement, likely because she didn't have any relatives living in the U.K. at the time.
Ragland is still based in Los Angeles, where she works as a yoga instructor. She is not expected to relocate and live with Markle and Harry at their Frogmore Cottage home when they move from Kensington Palace next year, but she will likely have a room in the couple's home.
Before becoming a royal, Middleton did not spend the holidays in Sandringham. She was with her family for her last Christmas as a single woman in December 2010, although she and William were engaged at the time. Middleton's family has never been invited to participate in royal holiday plans at the Norfolk estate.
The couple has visited Middleton's side of the family during the holidays, including in 2016 when they appeared at church with Middleton's family in Englefield, England. During that particular trip, William and Middleton's two oldest children Prince George, 5, and Princess Charlotte, 3, accompanied them. With their third baby Prince Louis's arrival more than eight months ago, the family may choose to spend the holidays with the Middletons next year.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Michigan native, Janice Williams is a graduate of Oakland University where she studied journalism and communication. Upon relocating to New ... Read more
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