Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry will be celebrating baby Archie Harrison’s first Christmas this year. But in a break with tradition, Meghan and Harry will reportedly not be spending Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the Royal Family.

Since the start of Harry and Meghan’s relationship, the pair have travelled to Sandringham to spend Christmas with the Queen and the rest of the family.

But The Sun reported today Meghan and Harry will not be visiting the Queen at her Sandringham estate this year.

A royal source told the publication: “They need some time away to recharge and decide their plans for next year.”

Meghan and Harry have had a difficult time this year.

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Meghan acknowledged in the ITV documentary ‘Harry and Meghan: An African Journey’ how she had found the last year “really challenging”.

When the interviewer asked Meghan how she was doing, she replied: “Thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I’m okay.

“But it’s a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes.”

Royal commentator Ingrid Seward told The Sun: “Christmas at Sandringham can be quite stressful so perhaps they don’t want to go with Archie at such a young age.

“Having said that, Sandringham has played host to many, many children through the ages and is well set up for them.

“I think it’s sad they don’t want to be part of the family gathering, particularly now the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are in their dotage.

“The Queen might be a little hurt but she’s far too gracious to ever let it show or be known.”

The couple will be taking a six-week break as of next week, during which the young family might spend some time with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland in the US for Thanksgiving.

It is not known yet where the Sussexes will be spending Christmas this year.

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How do the royals spend Christmas?

The Royal Family traditionally spends Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House.

The residence is the Queen’s country estate in Norfolk, and has been the backdrop of Royal Family Christmas’ for decades.

On Christmas Day, the Queen and other members of the Royal Family attend a morning service at the local country church.

Like any other family, the royals exchange gifts and gather to watch the Queen’s Christmas Day message.

And like most of us on Christmas Day, the Royal Family are no strangers to a Christmas feast.

Former royal chef Darren McGrady told Cosmopolitan: “[After church] they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert.

“They stick with the same meal year after year.”

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