Will Meghan Markle Attend Christmas Eve Service With The Queen?

Royal family fans were seemingly shocked when Meghan Markle wasn’t present at Christmas Eve church services with Queen Elizabeth in 2017, and now some are wondering if the pregnant Duchess will make an appearance this year for the services being held at St. Mary Magdalene Church.

In 2017, The Daily Mail covered the royal Christmas celebrations, which saw Markle attending for the first time as Prince Harry’s fiancée. However, it was noted at the time that the couple, who wed this past May and are currently expecting their first child together, were among several other high-profile members of the royal family who were absent when Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and others all headed to the church near the Sandringham estate for Christmas Eve service.

In addition to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, Prince William, Duchess Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte were all notably absent when a group of assorted members of the royal family all walked to the church. However, while no specific reason was noted for any of their absences at the time, Christmas Eve service does not appear to be a mandatory event for members of the royal family when it comes to Christmas celebrations.

The royal family’s Christmas traditions reportedly include various members arriving at Sandringham during the afternoon on Christmas Eve. From there the schedule of mandatory events reportedly includes tea and gift exchanges and an elaborate black-tie dinner. As for Christmas morning, they are all set to enjoy a traditional breakfast, attend the mandatory morning church service, indulge on a large lunch, watch the Queen’s annual speech and then enjoy another dinner together.

Because Christmas Eve church service doesn’t appear to be a mandatory part of the schedule and members of the family aren’t even required to arrive until the afternoon, it appears that Markle likely won’t be in attendance at this year’s service either, though royal fans will have to keep watching to see.