Christmas At The Castle The Queen's Kind Gesture

The Royals Relax Traditions For Meghan And Her Mum

- Judy Kean

Christmas with the in-laws can be stressful – especially when they happen to be the British royal family – but for Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, this holiday season should be quite peaceful.

Even though this is her first year as a fully-fledged royal after her wedding to Prince Harry in May, the former actress knows what to expect from the very traditional festivities the Queen hosts at Sandringham over Christmas as she got to break protocol and attend last year (newcomers usually have to be married before they’re invited).

And not only can the pregnant duchess relax a little because she knows what’s in store and how to behave, but this year she’ll have her beloved mum, Doria Ragland, by her side.

It is highly unusual for Her Majesty to allow any of her family’s in-laws to attend the royal celebrations. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s family have gone to church with the royals on Christmas Day before, but they’ve never been invited to partake in the customary turkey meal at Sandringham.

However, this year the Queen (92) has made an exception for Doria (62) because she would otherwise be on her own. Royal sources say the monarch was very impressed by Doria, a divorced mum-of-one, when they met earlier this year.