Meghan Markle to Celebrate Christmas with the Queen, Breaking Royal Tradition

It has been reported that actress Meghan Markle, who is set to marry Prince Harry in 2018, will be spending Christmas with the Queen this year at Sandringham.

This is a privilege usually reserved for members of the royal family, and it breaks traditional protocol.

However, PR advisers claim the gesture is necessary to avoid ill-feeling with Meghan, whose family still reside in the US.

Richard Fitzwilliams, an expert in royal affairs, explained that Kate Middleton was not invited to join the royal family festivities in 2010 after her engagement to Prince William, and Mike Tindall was also prevented from joining until he wed Princess Anne's daughter, Zara.

Only spouses and close family are usually invited.

It is expected that Meghan will join Harry and the rest of the royal family for the three-day celebrations on the Queen's estate in Norfolk this year.

The move could spark tension with Meghan's soon-to-be sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, who was snubbed from the celebration seven years ago.

The Duchess of Cambridge was forced to wait until she was married before being allowed to sit at the royal dining table.

However, Meghan's family are in the United States, and the actress breaking tradition could be seen as a gesture of goodwill towards her.

The monarchy relies heavily on precedent and tradition, but it also makes its own.

Meghan has already torn up tradition in the past when she broke the royal dressing rule previously upheld by Kate and the Queen.

She appeared bare-legged during a photo shoot for the official engagement announcement in Kensington Palace, but Her Majesty requires tights be worn on such occasions.

Experts say that Meghan's decision to spend Christmas with the Queen could be seen as a step towards integrating herself into the royal family.