Us Weekly: Royal Family Were Eagerly Anticipating Catching up with Harry, Meghan & Archie

The British Royal family was reportedly looking forward to reconnecting with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their son Archie over the holidays, but that won't be the case anymore.

The holidays were supposed to be a time of bonding and catching up for members of the British Royal family as Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Prince Archie were presumed to return to the United Kingdom.

However, the plan was thwarted after it was revealed that the Sussexes changed their minds and would spend Christmas in the United States in their California home.

Although Harry and Meghan have plans to make the most of the holidays, their decision to stay back leaves members of the royal family missing them sorely. A source close to the family revealed to US Weekly:

"Everyone was so looking forward to catching up with them, as well as Archie. They're looking forward to making the most of things regardless."

Earlier this month, it was disclosed that Harry and Meghan's official residence in the United Kingdom, Frogmore Cottage, was being prepped for their arrival, but at the time, the Duchess of Sussex wasn't convinced that she would make the journey.

The Sussexes absence from the United Kingdom this Christmas would allegedly be hard for the Queen as she hasn't seen her youngest great-grandchild

However, with the recent lockdown implemented in the United Kingdom and her privacy trial postponement, Harry and Meghan are confirmed to spend the festive season in their Montecito home with their 17-month-old.

Initially, Meghan's privacy lawsuit trial against Associated Newspaper and Mail on Sunday was scheduled to begin on January 11, 2021. Yet, the increase in the nation's COVID-19 cases caused the trial to be shifted until fall 2021.

An insider close to the family-of-three explained that the couple is doing their best to obey the government travel restrictions and protocols. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the United Kingdom earlier this year when they stepped down as senior members of the royal family.

After their controversial exit, the family relocated to Canada temporarily before going to the United States. They lived with actor Tyler Perry in Los Angeles before purchasing a home of their own in August.

The Sussexes absence from the United Kingdom this Christmas would allegedly be hard for the Queen as she hasn't seen her youngest great-grandchild for about a year.

Archie was taken to Canada in November 2018 during his parents' temporary break and didn't join them when they returned in January and finally in March.

While in America, Harry and Meghan have been vocal about causes dear to their hearts, one of which is racial injustice. During a discussion with Black Lives Matter supporter Patrick Hutchinson at the launch of British GQ's Heroes Festival, the duke opened up about how he had been unaware of unconscious racial bias for most of his life due to his upbringing as a royal.

However, his eyes opened once he began walking in his wife, Meghan's shoes, and now he is committed to getting involved in racial issues and helping those around him do better.