When it comes to Christmas there always seems to be a bit of confusion about the guest list. And it seems the same thing applies for the royals.
Despite reports that Doria Ragland will be joining her daughter for Christmas with the royal family this year, the Duchess of Sussex’s mother will not be attending the festivities at the Queen’s residence of Sandringham, according to PEOPLE magazine.
Looks like it may be a sunny but solo Christmas in LA for Doria…
Doria Ragland won’t be celebrating Christmas with the royals. (Image: Getty Images)
Traditionally, only official members of the royal family attend Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham, and since Duchess Catherine’s family have never joined in the royal festive celebrations, it would be unlikely that an invitation would be extended to Doria.
Royal biographer Duncan Larcombe says there “wasn’t a shred of truth,” about Doria attending.
“That would have been such a break, such an enormous break from royal tradition,” he told the Yahoo UK’s The Royal Box.
“That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be welcome and she is very welcome within the royal fold, but Sandringham’s something special.”
Last year, the then-Meghan Markle made headlines when she was invited to spend Christmas with her in-laws despite not having married into the family. Who could forget those snaps of the Fab Four attending the morning service at St Mary Magdalene’s Church on Christmas Day?
According to the Daily Mail, Kensington Palace have confirmed that Prince William, Duchess Catherine, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will all be at the Queen’s Norfolk residence, Sandringham, for Christmas. Let’s hope we get another group photo this year despite those royal feud rumours…
This won’t be Meghan’s first royal Christmas, but it will be her first as an official royal. (Image: Getty Images)
In an interview with BBC Radio 4, Prince Harry shed some more light on Meghan’s first royal Christmas in 2017 saying that she “really enjoyed it” and that “the family enjoyed having her there.”
“No look, she’s done an absolutely amazing job. She’s getting in there and it’s the family I suppose that she’s never had,” he told presenter Sarah Montague.
Duchess Meghan is very close to her mum, and was the only family member who attended the royal wedding back in May. Her relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, is much more estranged. The 74 year-old most recently claimed on British breakfast television that his daughter had “ghosted” him.
WATCH: Prince Harry talks about Meghan’s first royal Christmas. Post continues…
Doria hasn’t been excluded from royal life entirely, however. The LA-based yoga instructor and social worker attended the launch of Meghan’s charity cookbook Together in September with her daughter and son-in-law and was also mentioned in the official statement from Kensington Palace announcing Meghan’s pregnancy.
“Ms. Ragland is very happy about this lovely news and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild,” the statement read.
Harry and Meghan are also set to move into their new residence of Frogmore Cottage in Windsor in the new year and there will definitely be room for Meghan’s mum to come and stay.
With 10 bedrooms, a new nursery and space for a gym and yoga studio, we reckon she’ll be quite at home!
Don’t worry, we’re sure we’ll be seeing more of Doria Ragland soon! (Image: Getty Images)
Doria may be absent at this year’s royal Christmas, but there will be two new faces at the dinner table.
Not only will little Prince Louis, who was born in April this year, enjoy his first ever Christmas and royal Christmas combined, but Princess Eugenie’s new husband Jack Brooksbank will also be there as an official member of the family.
And just think, this time next year Baby Sussex will be there too!
