Kate Middleton and Prince William are planning their first Christmas together since the Princess of Wales concluded her chemotherapy treatment for cancer in September. King Charles has also been fighting a battle with cancer, which was diagnosed around the same time as Kate’s early this year, making it a difficult year for the whole family.
The couple and their three children, 11-year-old Prince George, nine-year-old Princess Charlotte, and six-year-old Prince Louis, are reportedly planning to join Charles and the rest of the royal family at Sandringham in Norfolk, according to People. Kate also plans to attend her annual Together at Christmas carol service on December 6.
The publication confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be spending the holiday this year in California, where they have a home in Montecito with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.
An insider stated that the couple did not receive an invitation and that the Duke of Sussex is still figuring out how to protect his family since having his top-level security removed after stepping away from royal duties. In July, another source said that Harry’s attempts to connect go “unanswered.”
“He gets ‘unavailable right now,’” said the source. “His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King’s health, but those calls go unanswered too.”
On September 9, Kate announced the end of her cancer treatment with a loving message to her supporters.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown,” she shared. “The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you. With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.”
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.