Four hours. That’s how long Prince Harry spent skiing in Aspen while Meghan and their children stayed 900 miles away in California, just days before Christmas. The Duke of Sussex arrived in Colorado on December 17 for what appeared to be a last-minute boys’ trip, leaving the Duchess to handle holiday preparations with six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet.
The timing raised immediate questions about why the 41-year-old would leave his family so close to the holiday season.
Slopes Instead of Stockings
According to sources who spoke with Hello magazine, Harry spent four hours skiing with his longtime friend Nacho Figueras, an Argentine professional polo player. The pair enjoyed lunch at a mountaintop restaurant before Harry competed in the St. Regis World Snow Polo Championship on December 17-18.
“Prince Harry was with Nacho for about four hours on the mountains,” an insider told Hello. “Harry seemed happy and was also joined by a number of male friends on the slopes”.
Meghan Breaks Silence With Mystery Caption
While Harry navigated snowy terrain, Meghan broke her Instagram silence with a photograph of him on horseback during the polo match. Her caption: “Oh, hello there.” The post marked Meghan’s first Instagram story since Harry departed for Colorado, according to People magazine.
Royal watchers immediately dissected the flirty message—some saw playful affection, others questioned why she’d acknowledge his absence publicly during the holidays.
The Pattern Nobody Can Ignore
Harry’s Aspen getaway fits a broader 2024 pattern: the couple increasingly making solo public appearances. Since their joint trip to Colombia in August, they’ve rarely been photographed together. Harry traveled alone to New York, London, and southern Africa for charitable work, while Meghan attended events in California without him.
Yet when asked about divorce rumors in December, Harry laughed it off: “We’ve apparently divorced maybe 10 or 12 times”.
Two Children Left Behind
Meghan, Archie, and Lilibet did not join Harry in Aspen, according to multiple reports. Security remains the primary barrier preventing the family from visiting the UK.
Harry has waged years-long legal battles to restore taxpayer-funded police protection for his family when visiting Britain. “I can’t bring myself to put my wife and children in a position that could put them in danger,” he told the BBC after losing an appeal.
The Security Battlefield
In February 2024, a High Court judge ruled against Harry’s challenge to restore armed police protection after he stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Harry argued that his status as a former senior royal and Afghanistan veteran makes him a high-value target.
His memoir Spare revealed he killed 25 Taliban fighters during military service, making him potentially vulnerable. The ruling meant the family couldn’t safely travel to the UK—a devastating blow.
A Ray of Hope in December
In a potentially game-changing development, the UK Home Office ordered a comprehensive threat assessment for Harry—the first since 2020. The review will determine if he and his family should receive armed police protection during UK visits. A decision is expected in January 2026.
Sources described the security reassessment as “long overdue.” If approved, it could finally enable Harry to bring Meghan and the children to Britain safely.
Christmas in Montecito, Not Sandringham
The Sussex family will celebrate Christmas at their $14.65 million Montecito mansion, a tradition they have maintained since their 2020 royal exit. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, is expected to join them.
Meanwhile, King Charles hosts approximately 45 family members at Sandringham, including Prince William and his three children. Harry and Meghan haven’t spent Christmas with the royal family since 2018—before Meghan was pregnant with Archie.
Handmade Traditions and Gumbo
Meghan has meticulously planned the family’s California celebration. In her Netflix special, she revealed that she creates personalized Advent calendars filled with handwritten affirmations for Archie and Lilibet.
She’ll also make her mother’s Christmas Eve gumbo, a soul-food recipe rooted in Doria’s Tennessee heritage. “A tradition has to have a beginning,” Meghan explained. These intimate customs starkly contrast with royal formality.
Five Years Since Everything Changed
Harry’s solo Colorado trip comes nearly five years after he and Meghan stepped back as senior royals in January 2020. What followed fractured Harry’s relationship with his father and brother—tensions documented in their March 2021 Oprah interview and December 2022 Netflix docuseries.
The departure reshaped the entire Windsor family structure. Harry accused his family of failing to protect Meghan from racist press coverage and questioned what skin color their future child might have.
The Friend Who Stayed Close
Nacho Figueras represents one of the few pre-Meghan friends who remained consistently present. The 48-year-old Argentine polo star first met Harry in 2007 through charity matches benefiting Sentebale, Harry’s organization supporting children affected by HIV in Lesotho.
“I’ve been friends with him for 12, 13 years now,” Figueras told Ellen DeGeneres in 2019. “He’s a wonderful man, someone that really cares”. Figueras attended Harry’s 2018 wedding.
Playing Under a Different Name
Interestingly, Harry competed under the name “Harry Wales” rather than using his Duke of Sussex title, according to Page Six. Wales was the surname he used during military service and school years before adopting Sussex.
The choice to compete under his childhood name raises questions about identity and escape. The St. Regis tournament marked one of the rare occasions Harry faced off against his longtime friend Figueras competitively.
A Lifetime Love of Skiing
Harry’s passion for skiing dates back to childhood. He frequently vacationed in Switzerland with Princess Diana and King Charles. In his memoir Spare, Harry expressed deep affection for the sport, even revealing he once dreamed of becoming a ski instructor after school—a plan King Charles reportedly vetoed.
His affinity for cold-weather adventure has remained constant throughout his life. Aspen offered both sport and escape.
The Cryptic Instagram Echo
Meghan’s “Oh, hello there” caption on December 17 mirrors a similar post on Harry’s September birthday. For that occasion, she shared a 2015 photograph taken before they met, with the caption “Oh hi, Birthday Boy🔥.”
Body language experts have noted what they describe as an “emotional drought” in recent public appearances. However, sources insist solo appearances reflect practical parenting logistics rather than marital discord.
A “Twin-Track” Strategy
According to People magazine sources, “It’s clear that a twin-track approach is evolving”. Harry immerses himself in philanthropic efforts while Meghan hones entrepreneurial projects and commercial ventures. A royal insider confirmed: “The Duke and Duchess have now hit their stride as individuals—not just as a couple”.
Body language expert Judi James noted both appear content during solo outings, suggesting “healthy balance between individual pursuits”.
The Netflix Gamble
Since relocating to California, the Sussexes have pursued various media ventures through Archewell Productions. Their Netflix deal produced mixed results. Harry & Meghan became the streamer’s fifth most popular documentary with 23.4 million views.
Subsequent projects, including Polo, which premiered in December 2024 and featured close friend Nacho Figueras, failed to generate comparable interest. The couple continues exploring content opportunities.
A Family at a Crossroads
As Christmas 2024 approaches, the Sussex family faces complex circumstances. Harry’s pending security review could reshape their UK relationship and enable the children to finally meet King Charles regularly. Or the review could maintain the status quo, cementing their California-based existence away from royal life.
Sources told Closer Magazine the couple vowed to prioritize their relationship in 2025, including arranging more date nights.
Millions Watching Every Move
Meghan’s Instagram post garnered millions of views within hours, demonstrating persistent global fascination despite their royal retreat. Every Sussex move—from solo trips to cryptic captions—receives intensive scrutiny. British tabloids questioned Harry’s timing. American outlets analyzed Meghan’s caption for hidden meaning.
Royal commentators debated whether the trip signaled independence or isolation. The couple remains endlessly fascinating to audiences worldwide.
Pushing Back Against the Noise
Harry and Meghan consistently push back against divorce rumors and marital discord speculation. “The people I feel most sorry about are the trolls,” Harry said at the DealBook Summit. “Their expectations continue to rise, and then they are met with disappointment when nothing happens. I genuinely feel for them”.
Their 2025 Christmas card featured rare footage of both children, signaling family unity.
The Image That Defines 2024
The picture from Christmas 2024 will be indelible: Harry on snowy slopes, polo mallet in hand, 900 miles from his young family. Meghan’s three-word Instagram caption—”Oh, hello there”—echoes across millions of screens, open to endless interpretation about what separation, independence, or love really means.
As the new year approaches, only time will reveal whether the Sussex story continues as a fractured narrative or a united front.
Sources:
People Magazine – “Meghan Markle Reacts to Prince Harry’s Surprise World Snow Polo Championship Appearance in Aspen”
Hello! Magazine – “Prince Harry enjoys ski trip to Aspen with close friend Nacho Figueras”
Hello! Magazine – “Prince Harry’s UK security arrangements under review”
BBC – “Prince Harry’s security in UK under review”
NDTV – “What Prince Harry Said On Separation Rumours with Meghan Markle”
Newsweek – “Prince Harry Breaks Silence on Divorce Rumors”