West
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's 'important' reason for spending Christmas at home in California revealed
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly prioritized their children when they decided to spend Christmas at home in California.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed the holiday with son Prince Archie, 5, and daughter Princess Lilibet, 3, at their home in the exclusive enclave of Montecito.
According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward, the couple made the choice to stay home after declining an invitation to celebrate Christmas at Althorp House, the Northampton, U.K., estate owned by the late Princess Diana’s younger brother, Charles, Earl Spencer.
“Harry and Meghan were invited for Christmas at Althorp with thrice-married Uncle Charles, now Earl Spencer, but have decided to stay in California,” Seward told the Mirror. “Meghan says it’s important for her that Archie and Lilibet can have ‘connective memories’ of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy the traditions like putting out ‘carrots for the reindeer.’”
PRINCE HARRY, MEGHAN MARKLE DON’T GET ROYAL CHRISTMAS INVITE AS KATE MIDDLETON POSTS HOLIDAY MESSAGE: REPORT
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle decided to spend Christmas at their California home to create new memories and traditions for their children. (Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images)
Despite the rift between the Sussexes and the royal family, Harry and Earl Spencer have continued to share a close relationship.
Harry and Meghan have visited Althorp on multiple occasions over the past few years, and the duke’s uncle attended his nephew’s Invictus Games’ 10th anniversary service in London May 8.
“Meghan says it’s important for her that Archie and Lilibet can have ‘connective memories’ of Thanksgiving and Christmas at home and enjoy the traditions like putting out ‘carrots for the reindeer.’”
Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, was reportedly the only other family member to join the Sussexes for their quiet Christmas celebration.
The pair declined an invitation from Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Earl Spencer, to celebrate the holiday at Althorp in England. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Representatives for Harry and Megan did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
During a November interview with Marie Claire, Meghan gushed over her love for the holidays.
She noted that her children are now “3 and 5, so every year it gets better.”
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“At first, I think, as a mom with children, you’re just enjoying having them there, but they’re not understanding everything that’s happening yet,” the former “Suits” star said. “But now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year.
“Every single holiday is a new adventure.”
On Dec. 16, Harry and Markle released their holiday card, which featured a grid of six photos. An accompanying message said, “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year.”
Included in those six pictures was a rare glimpse of Archie and Lilibet. In the family photo, Harry is seen bending down to greet his daughter with a hug, and Markle is seen doing the same with Archie.
Harry and Meghan shared a rare glimpse of their children on their new holiday card. (Getty/Archewell )
Earlier this month, People magazine reported the Sussexes did not receive an invitation from the royal family to join them at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk for their annual Christmas holiday.
Harry and Meghan haven’t spent Christmas at Sandringham with the royal family since 2018, the same year they were married.
On Christmas Day, King Charles III, 76, and wife Queen Camilla, 77, took part in the royal family’s traditional walk for morning mass at Sandringham’s St. Mary Magdalene Church.
They were joined by Charles’ son Prince William, 42, Kate Middleton, 42, and their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
Other royal family members in attendance included Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, 74; her daughter Zara Tindall, 43; and Mike Tindall, 46. Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, 60, and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, also attended the service.
The royal family celebrated Christmas at Sandringham. (Getty Images)
The year has been a tumultuous one for the royal family. In February, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles was being treated for cancer, though it was not specified which type. Earlier this year, the monarch was treated for an enlarged prostate.
In January, Kensington Palace announced Kate had planned abdominal surgery. She was out of sight for several months, sparking speculation about her health.
In March, Kate put the speculation to rest by announcing she had also been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
In September, Kate announced she had completed chemotherapy treatment. In a video announcing her progress, she said the path to full recovery would be long, and she would take it day by day.
She said she would undertake some limited engagements through the end of the year.
Fox News Digital’s Brie Stimston and Janelle Ash contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
Hawaii
What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family-run Chinese restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown is gearing up for Lunar New Year festivities.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant owner Karen Tam and her son Kirave Liang joined HNN’s Sunrise to showcase their dim sum and Chinese specialties.
Lunar New Year specials include a special jai with 18 vegetarian ingredients and the sweet, sticky, steamed rice cake gau in brown sugar and coconut flavors, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
”We eat food with a lucky meaning to start the great year,” Tam said. “We have jin dui (sesame balls) every day.“
Feb. 17 marks the start of the year of the Fire Horse, when families gather to celebrate with big meals and auspicious dishes. Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood will offer set party menus and special orders for foods not commonly found in Honolulu, such as whole stuffed duck, braised abalone in oyster sauce, and basin meal.
“It’s the biggest fest of the year. We celebrate Chinese New Year by eating with family in a round table,“ Tam said.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood also has private rooms with karaoke systems and a banquet hall to accommodate small family gatherings to large parties.
Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood is located on 111 N. King St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, There is street parking and paid parking behind the restaurant on Nimitz and Maunakea.
For more information, visit hawaiidimsumseafood.com or follow on Instagram @hawaiidimsumseafood.
Copyright 2026 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Idaho
Interstate 84 near Mountain Home back open after utility work
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Interstate 84 near Mountain Home is back open after crews closed the freeway due to utility work.
Crews closed westbound and eastbound lanes on Saturday morning from milepost 90 to milepost 95 due to Idaho Power working on power lines in the area, according to the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. All lanes are now back open in both directions.
The sheriff’s office and the Mountain Home Police Department apologized for the inconvenience, saying they were just informed of the closure on Saturday morning.
More information regarding road closures and traffic conditions can be found at the Idaho Transportation Department’s 511 map.
Copyright 2026 KMVT. All rights reserved.
Montana
Service door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
The French owner of the Swiss bar where 40 people died in a fire during new year celebrations has told investigators a service door had been locked from the inside.
Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, was taken into custody on Friday, as prosecutors investigated the tragedy.
Most of the 40 people who died were teenagers, and another 116 people were injured.
Moretti told the Valais public prosecutor’s office that he had found out about the locked door just after the deadly fire.
When he arrived at the scene, he forced open the door, according to excerpts from police reports published by several French and Swiss media outlets confirmed to AFP by a source close to the case.
Moretti said he had found several people lying behind the door after opening it.
Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by sparklers coming into contact with soundproofing foam installed on the ceiling of the establishment’s basement.
Questions are also being raised regarding the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers, and whether the bar’s exits were in compliance with regulations.
No safety inspections at site of Swiss bar fire for past five years, mayor says
“We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room,” said his wife and co-owner, Jessica, who was released after Friday’s hearing.
Moretti told investigators he had carried out tests and the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic foam.
He said he bought the foam in a DIY store and installed it himself during renovations carried out after buying the establishment in 2015.
Regarding the presence of numerous underage kids in the bar at the time of the tragedy, Moretti said the establishment prohibited anyone under the age of 16 and that customers aged 16 to 18 had to be accompanied by an adult.
He said he had given these “instructions” to the security staff, but acknowledged that “it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol”.
The couple is suspected of “negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson”.
-
Detroit, MI7 days ago2 hospitalized after shooting on Lodge Freeway in Detroit
-
Technology4 days agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Dallas, TX5 days agoDefensive coordinator candidates who could improve Cowboys’ brutal secondary in 2026
-
Dallas, TX2 days agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Iowa4 days agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Delaware2 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Health6 days agoViral New Year reset routine is helping people adopt healthier habits
-
Nebraska4 days agoOregon State LB transfer Dexter Foster commits to Nebraska