Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have not spent Christmas in the UK since 2019 with a bitter feud between the Sussexes and the Royal Family taking centre stage.
The Royal Family typically spend Christmas at the Sandringham estate, a tradition that was even long-standing through the late Queen’s reign.
Due to the ongoing dispute between Harry and the royals, it remains unclear whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will put tensions to one side and let their two children – Prince Archie, four, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet – spend the festive period with their royal relatives and cousins.
From the royals’ point-of-view, one thing could be holding them back from extending the olive branch.
According to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, a special invite hangs on one thing – whether the Royal Family feel they can trust Harry and Meghan.
Since stepping back as senior royals, Meghan and Harry have appeared to drag a string of damaging claims into the limelight.
As well as Harry exposing details of an alleged physical confrontation with Prince William in his memoir Spare, it has recently been reported that the King has been left “disappointed” with his younger son.
The Duke of Sussex reportedly spoke to his father on his 75th birthday last week, with the pair supposedly having a “polite” conversation.
It was then reported that King Charles had been left “disappointed” with Harry for leaking details of their private phone call.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr Fitzwilliams said: “Currently interest is focusing on whether they have been asked to join the royals at Sandringham for Christmas and, if asked, whether they would accept.
“They certainly won’t get an apology for the way they think they were treated when senior working royals.
“However there is also the issue of whether the Royal Family feels they can be trusted.”
Speaking of the possibility of the couple joining the royals, he added: “Obviously the King would welcome the chance to see his grandchildren.
“It would also be highly beneficial to the royals if they could guarantee that sniping from the Sussexes would stop.”
Reports have also suggested that, if the royals were to extend an invite, Meghan and Harry would not turn it down.
One insider told The Times: “I can’t imagine the Sussexes would decline an invitation to spend time with His Majesty.
“As of yet, there have not been any invitations for the holidays.”
