The Royal Family is said to be gearing up for its biggest Christmas celebrations in many years with a bumper turn out of the Firm around the dinner table.
However, not thought to be making the guest list this year is Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Since quitting as working royals, they've opted to spend the festive season in the United States with their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. However, in years gone by, Harry was a key part of the family's festive celebrations and he spent almost every year with his nearest and dearest.
And one year his once close sister-in-law the Princess of Wales is believed to have bought him a rather bold joke present - but luckily it went down a treat. It came before Harry started dating Meghan and was single following a string of high-profile relationships.
So what was the present Kate gifted him? It was a 'grow-your-own-girlfriend' kit. And to make things even funnier, the family all sit down and open their Christmas presents together - which means the late Queen would have been watching when Harry opened it up.
There is a very specific time when the gifts are opened - and it's not when most people open theirs. Rather than race from their bedrooms on Christmas morning to open their presents - they actually do it the day before on Christmas Eve. In fact, the exact time the present exchange takes place is thought to be around 6pm in Sandringham's white drawing room. The royals have to sneakily place their gifts in the room earlier that afternoon without being caught.
This year, Kate is believed to be spending Christmas at Sandringham with Prince William, George, Charlotte and Prince Louis as King Charles hosts the second festive season of his reign. Royal Christmases usually feature a morning trip to St Mary Magdalene Church, the greeting of well-wishers, and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.
Just weeks ago it was hinted that relations between Harry and Meghan and Charles were beginning to thaw. Harry contacted his father on his 75th birthday last month, calling him from his California home and also showed him a video of Archie and Lilibet singing Happy Birthday, which sources close to the Sussexes say was a "turning point".
It then led to a friend of Harry's telling the Sunday Times the couple "would love to" spend Christmas in the UK as Charles has never been with their children Archie and Lilibet during the festive season. However, they added: "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."
One royal who seemingly will be happy Harry and Meghan won't be at Sandringham this Christmas is William. Since leaving the UK, the Sussexes have made several explosive claims about the Prince of Wales, including that he "screamed and shouted" at Harry during the infamous Sandringham Summit.
Royal expert Jennie Bond told The Sun: "I don't think William will be shedding a tear over this. Deep down, I'm sure he still loves Harry, but I don't think he can see a way out of the rift that has opened between them. I think William has closed his mind to the prospect of reconciliation with Harry, and I can't see a time when Meghan would be welcomed back into the bosom of the family - or a time when she would ever want to be welcomed back. I doubt that William thinks about them for more than a fleeting moment - and then he probably tries to blank out those thoughts."
