At the start of 2020, Harry and Meghan dropped the bombshell that they were quitting their royal roles - and their decision was reportedly spurred on by an incident at Christmas, just weeks before
09:00, 23 Dec 2025Updated 09:05, 23 Dec 2025
The Sussexes will be once again celebrating Christmas thousands of miles away from the Royal Family. Harry and Meghan - who remain largely estranged from members of The Firm - will instead likely remain at their home in Montecito, while the likes of King Charles, Prince William and Princess Kate gather for their celebrations in Sandringham.
The last time Harry spent Christmas with the royals was back in 2018, following his wedding in May earlier that year. The following December, they spent the festive season in Canada during an extended break from their royal duties. Mere weeks later, the Sussexes dropped the bombshell news they were quitting royal life. And according to one royal expert, it was an incident that took place in Christmas 2019 that tipped the couple over the edge.
Harry, Meghan, and their baby son Archie spent the festive season in Canada with her mum, Doria Ragland. Like so many, they watched the late Queen's Christmas message - but were reportedly infuriated by one key detail.
The couple were said to be upset when they saw family portraits on display on the late Queen's desk, but none featured the Sussexes. In the book Finding Freedom, authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand claimed the couple believed the Royal Family were "conspiring against them" with the move. They said Harry and Meghan also felt they had "long been sidelined by the institution and were not a fundamental part of its future".
They wrote: "One didn't have to look further than the family photos displayed during the Queen's Speech on Christmas Day. In the Green Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace , where the Queen delivered her address, viewers glimpsed photos of the [Waleses] and their children, Charles and Camilla, Prince Philip , and a black-and-white image of George VI. Noticeably absent was a photo of Harry, Meghan, and their new baby, Archie."
The authors said palace sources insisted the photos were chosen to represent the "direct line of succession". However, Omid and Carolyn said Harry and Meghan felt it was "yet another sign that they needed to consider their own path."
It wasn't the only 'snub' that reportedly pushed the Sussexes to cut ties. A sweet snapshot of Prince George proved to be a 'wake up call' for Harry and Meghan, and cemented their decision to leave the Firm, an expert has claimed.
The image in question showed the late Queen with her three heirs, the then-Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George, who was six at the time, in the throne room at Buckingham Palace. It was released at the beginning of 2020, days before Harry and Meghan confirmed they planned to step down as working royals.
On the face of it, the picture simply showcased the future of the monarchy and mirrored many historic portraits. But it is alleged to have caused upset behind the scenes.
In his book Meghan: A Hollywood Princess, Andrew Morton wrote: "The royal couple suspected that the entire institution was conspiring against them. As they saw it, the evidence was all around them. The unspoken code was straightforward: the future of the monarchy was assured, with or without Meghan and Harry."