### Harry and Meghan Skipped from Royal Christmas, Embrace Montecito Holiday Instead

As the festive season approaches, the royal family is gearing up for their traditional Christmas gathering at Sandringham, but there's a notable absence on the guest list: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The couple has opted for a quiet holiday in their Montecito home, marking another year without an invitation to join King Charles and the rest of the royals.

The last time Harry and Meghan celebrated Christmas with the royal family was back in 2018.

Since then, it seems that any bridges between them and the monarchy have not just been burned but obliterated.

If Christmas is about family and togetherness, then the Sussexes' decision to spend the holidays apart suggests a clear message: “You can't sit with us.”

While the royal clan gathers at their expansive 20,000-acre estate, Harry and Meghan will be enjoying the comforts of their much smaller 5.4-acre property.

It's a stark contrast that highlights their distance from royal traditions.

But it's not just the royals who are keeping their distance; the couple's neighbors in Montecito aren't exactly rolling out the welcome mat either.

Local bookstore owner Mary Sheldon recently revealed that she has yet to see Harry or Meghan browsing her shelves.

In contrast, Oprah Winfrey is a familiar face, often seen shopping without any entourage.

This stark difference raises eyebrows about the Sussexes' integration into their community.

Richard Minyards, a writer for the Montecito Journal, didn't hold back in a recent article where he humorously critiqued the couple.

He pointed out that while Meghan often speaks about community involvement, her actual participation seems lacking.

Harry, on the other hand, is occasionally spotted but remains largely elusive.

Minyards playfully suggested that this holiday season could be the perfect opportunity for Harry and Meghan to engage more with their neighbors.

He proposed that they take their children, Archie and Lilibet, to local events such as the enchanting Nutcracker ballet or the New Year's Eve concert, both of which could help them connect with the community.

Instead of mingling with locals, the Sussexes might prefer to stay cozy indoors, perhaps binge-watching Netflix specials.

Neighbors are likely hoping they do just that, especially considering the awkwardness that might arise if they accidentally wandered into a scene being filmed for their upcoming projects.

The neighborhood seems to have mixed feelings about the couple, with one resident quipping that Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi must be relieved to have their holiday plans uninterrupted by the Sussexes.

After all, having high-profile neighbors can sometimes feel more like a burden than a blessing.

Harry and Meghan's perceived aloofness, combined with their high-profile lifestyle, has left some residents feeling frustrated.

It's as if they've RSVP'd to a party but then decided to ghost everyone, leaving their neighbors wondering where they fit into the picture.

So this Christmas, while the royal family enjoys their traditional festivities, Harry and Meghan will likely find themselves indulging in a quiet dinner—perhaps roast chicken or tofu, who knows?

They'll be blissfully unaware of the snubs and subtle jabs coming from their community.

In the end, it's clear that Harry and Meghan are not winning any popularity contests this holiday season.

Their choice to spend Christmas away from the royals and the apparent disconnect with their neighbors paints a picture of a couple still navigating their place in a world that feels increasingly distant.