With Christmas less than two months away (!) ), plans are firming up, including an itinerary for the Sussex family, consisting of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Harry and Meghan have not spent a traditional royal family Christmas in Sandringham since retiring as active members of the royal family in 2020, and royal expert Dr. Tessa Dunlop said "don't hold your breath" on a possible change of route.

"It is unlikely that Harry will grace Sandringham with his presence, just as he was not seen at Balmoral this summer," she told the Mirror. Dunlop suggested that rumors that Harry and Meghan are trying to buy property in the U.K. after they were evicted from their British home, Frogmore Cottage, earlier this year, "Rather than buying a penthouse near London, Prince Charles' Christmas hug with Archie and Lili It seems unlikely that he will even get one," he continued.

Dunlop added that even if Harry does buy a house in his native England, it is likely to be on his own dime rather than relying on the royal family. 'At least the rumors are that the Sussexes will be house hunting in and around London. Despite the fact that Harry's father owns more houses than you and I have hot dinners in (count 'em), the fact that Harry is said to be returning to England does not, by any stretch of the imagination, mean that he will lean on his father's fortune. Rather, it will be Harry's mission to get homesick, and the two of them will buy a house of their own." Just as Camilla was a wicked adulterer until we discovered the gentle and endearing Queen, Harry is portrayed as a little lost boy, a square peg in an American hole who wants to go home. We Brits want to believe that Harry could not do without us. That Harry misses us, the brother he says he was never close to, the father he no longer speaks of, and the country he condemned. [His 2023 pit stop in England included a very expensive court battle with the British press, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it coronation moment, and a charity event before the Invictus Games in Germany. 'I'm sure Harry would love to have a villa in London - after all, it's his home town. But there is no sense investing in a private estate when the safety-conscious Sussex family can sleep with their cousins at Windsor Manor and stay at a working palace in London with full security. Instead, it is us British citizens who are missing out Harry. Frankly, this new, more modest Duke and Duchess who spend their time on their own in America and occasionally turn up and do nice things are a bit boring."

While the King may be disappointed that the Sussexes will not be joining the rest of the royal family for Christmas (but given the family's current relationship, this should not come as a surprise), royal author Dr. Ed Owens notes that Prince Charles is ready to make peace but said he felt that the Sussexes needed to take the first step toward peace. He (Prince Charles) has indicated that he is ready to make peace, and ultimately the onus is on them to decide if they want to heal the wounds they have opened with the royal family," he told GB News, according to the Daily Express. 'The king has done that quite successfully so far. The king has upheld his moral position and presented himself as a conciliator. That is the best way to maintain his reputation as a public figure." Owens added that, for good or ill, Prince Charles has indicated through articles sent out from the palace to the press that he is open to reconciliation and "is keen to keep the door open should Harry and Meghan decide they want to return."