Royal Tensions Explode as Harry’s Christmas Card with Meghan and Kids Draws Mixed Reactions

Prince Harry is gearing up for a quiet family Christmas across the Atlantic with his wife Meghan and their two young children.

The Sussexes are expected to have a low-key day with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland at their home in Montecito. In contrast, some 45 extended members of the Royal Family will gather in Norfolk to celebrate the festive season.

Harry is all but estranged from his loved ones following a series of blistering attacks made on the monarchy. And he is likely feeling the loss more keenly at this time of year.

As well as the Sandringham celebrations on December 25, Harry is also missing out on the large pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace, which is taking place on Thursday and will see a huge number of royals gather for a big festive meal.

Seeing his family unite together comes at a difficult time for Harry. Earlier this week, he and Meghan released their family Christmas card – which included a very rare photo of their children, Archie and Lilbet. And while most fans were delighted to catch a glimpse of the youngsters, the image sparked outlandish wild conspiracy theories that quickly spread online.

The Sussexes have also seen their latest Netflix offering savaged by critics – prompting speculation about their future endeavours. Earlier this month, the streaming giant released Polo, a five-episode series that aims to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the ‘elite’ and ‘privileged’ sport of polo.

In its review, the Telegraph branded the series “tedious”, while the Mail on Sunday dismissed it as a “load of old tosh”. The Guardian stated that “Polo looks destined to fall through the submenus into obscurity at the speed of light. And rightly so”.

Even The Cut, a magazine once favoured by Meghan, turned against the Duchess with a very scathing review in an article titled ‘Harry and Meghan’s Projects Can’t Stop Flopping’. Writer Danielle Cohen commented on the couple’s “tortured attempts to launch a successful Stateside endeavour” which, she wrote, “continued this week” with the release of Polo. “Seems like this one is bound for the same fate as Markle’s beleaguered jam company,” she wrote.

It comes after an expert suggested the real reason Harry lashed out at his family following his decision to quit royal life.

The Sussexes stepped down from royal life in 2020 and since then have levelled a number of criticisms at members of the monarchy – in their Oprah interview, their Netflix series , and in Spare . As such, a huge gulf has developed, and the Sussexes are said to have been completely ‘cut off’ by prominent royals, including Prince William.

Their comments have also proved controversial and divisive amongst the public, and have led to a rapid decline in their popularity in both the UK and the US. And according to royal photographer Arthur Edwards , there is a clear motive behind Harry’s bombshell claims – money.

Speaking to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, Mr Edwards said: “Ever since he left this country the split became so huge between the royal family here, us, the media and him. Mainly because he just rubbished the Royal Family. You can’t rubbish the King’s wife Camilla and expect to be easily forgiven . You can’t rubbish William’s wife and be easily forgiven.

“And for profit, and that’s really what wrangles with me because Harry wasn’t down to his last 30 bobs, he had plenty of money. There was no need to do that.”