It seems the Queen has broken royal protocol once again for new granddaughter-in-law, Duchess Meghan.
According to the Sunday Express, the Duchess of Sussex’s mother, Doria Ragland could be invited to spend Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham.
Doria is said to have been invited as a ‘mark of respect’ by Her Majesty, for Meghan – who is expecting her first child in April next year, with her husband Prince Harry.
Duchess Meghan and her mother, Doria Ragland, 62 on the eve of the royal wedding. (Source: Getty Images)
The Sunday Express also reported that it was a “very thoughtful gesture” for Doria to be invited, and quite an unusual move for the traditional Queen.
Doria was previously involved in a royal engagement when Duchess Meghan launched her charity cookbook at Kensington Palace, her first since the royal wedding, but attending Christmas is on another level.
The invitation would break a precedence which has never even seen the Middleton family invited to the Norfolk estate – however, as Meghan has no other family in the UK, it seems only natural that Doria be included.
Royal protocol also went out the window during last year’s festivities when Meghan was the first ever “non-spouse” to attend Christmas Day.
At the time, the only royal source, Kensington Palace, confirmed the news.
“You can expect to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms Markle at Sandringham on Christmas Day,” it read.
Duchess Catherine, Prince William, Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry attended the Christmas service in 2017. (Source: Getty Images)
Meghan’s invitation marks a break in tradition for the royals, making her the first “non-spouse” to attend the family gathering.
This will be Meghan’s first Christmas as a fully-fledged royal family member, as well as her first, with child.
Naturally, the royal family were “delighted for the couple,” once the news of their pregnancy was announced.
The Palace confirmed that the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince William and Duchess Catherine were notified of Duchess Meghan’s pregnancy at Princess Eugenie’s wedding and the Duchess of Sussex’s mother, Doria Ragland is excited to become a grandmother.
“Ms. Ragland is very happy about this lovely news, and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.
The Queen attends the Christmas Day service in 2017. (Source: Getty Images)
Personally, we are very excited for next year’s Christmas when Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ baby cousin will actually be born.
Until then, we cannot wait until the photographs of the awesome-foursome and the rest of the royal family come out!
WATCH: Doria Ragland: facts to know about Duchess Meghan’s mum.
