Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly preparing to spend Christmas in California with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, rather than joining the royal family for the holidays. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to understand that a Christmas reunion with Harry’s relatives is unlikely, with one report suggesting they know the situation would be too awkward.

According to The Times, the couple are not expecting an invitation to celebrate Christmas with the royal family and have privately accepted that possibility. Instead, they are reportedly planning to spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas doing whatever Doria would like, keeping the holiday season focused on family.

“ They know it would be too awkward and too difficult,” a source told the publication, adding that the couple are not waiting for an invitation.

It remains unclear whether Doria will travel to the UK or whether Harry and Meghan will return to California for the holidays. Their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, are expected to be in school during Thanksgiving week, which could also affect the family’s travel plans.

The latest report follows comments from HELLO! royal editor Emily Nash, who also predicted that the Sussexes would likely spend Christmas with Doria. Speaking on the Right Royal Podcast, Nash said she would be surprised if the couple remained in the UK for the holiday season, suggesting that visiting Meghan’s mother had probably been part of their plans all along.

Harry and Meghan returned to the UK on August 26, prompting speculation that they hoped to spend more time with King Charles. However, six weeks after their arrival, reports indicated that Harry had still not met his father in person. The two reportedly spoke by telephone during Harry’s first week back in the country.

Meghan has largely kept a low profile in recent months while focusing on her lifestyle brand, As Ever. Reports have also suggested that she hopes to reconnect with former royal patronages and explore the possibility of resuming some of those partnerships.

Despite her limited public appearances, Meghan has been spotted enjoying time with Harry, including a pub lunch near their residence in the Cotswolds. She also met Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai for dinner at Claridge’s hotel in London.

Harry, meanwhile, has continued his charitable and public engagements since returning to the UK. In September, he visited the Royal Naval College in London for the Invictus Spirit Awards and the launch of the INSPIRE education program. He also attended the WellChild Awards, supporting a cause that has remained close to his heart for years.

The Duke later traveled to New York to speak at the Clinton Global Initiative’s annual meeting, where he discussed the risks social media and artificial intelligence can pose to children. More recently, he attended a local rugby match and reunited with his cousin George McCorquodale, the son of Princess Diana’s sister Sarah McCorquodale.

Although Harry and Meghan’s return to the UK has fueled questions about their relationship with the royal family, their reported Christmas plans suggest they may choose a quieter holiday with Meghan’s side of the family instead. For now, it remains uncertain whether any plans for a reunion with King Charles will change before the festive season begins.