There aren’t many families where the Christmas day guestlist comes without awkward politics, and the same rings true for the royals. Following months of speculation, it’s been confirmed that Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland won’t be joining the royal family for Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
Despite previous reports suggesting that Doria had been invited by the Queen to spend Christmas at her Norfolk residence, PEOPLE have revealed that she has politely declined, and will instead stay at home in LA. The 62-year-old yoga teacher and social worker was spotted yesterday in California running pre-Christmas errands with a male friend.
A royal source told Vanity Fair that Doria’s invitation to Sandringham was offered because the Queen was so “impressed” by Ms Ragland at her daughter's wedding back in May. The invite was a break from royal precedent with the Middleton family yet to be invited to stay at the Queen’s Norfolk home.
In past years the Middletons have joined the royals at church on Christmas morning but then stayed at nearby Anmer Hall as opposed to Sandringham itself. It’s thought that Meghan has been granted the privilege as Doria lives outside the UK and Meghan would be unable to split her time between both families any other way.
Much like last year, Meghan and Harry will spend Christmas day at Sandringham with the Queen, William, Kate and other members of the immediate royal family.
However, last week it was revealed that Meghan and Harry won't be spending the morning of the 25th together as royal tradition states that men meet in the dining room for Christmas breakfast while women take breakfast in their rooms.
Although Doria won’t be present this year, it is still set to be a special time for the royals as Meghan and Harry spend their first Christmas together as a married couple, and the family celebrate Prince Louis’ first Christmas.