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Holidays

Meghan Markle Will Be the First Fiancée to Spend Christmas With the Queen

Christmas is only a few weeks away, which means the royal family is planning their annual Sandringham celebration in Norfolk, England. This year, the event will play out a bit differently, thanks to the royal family’s soon-to-be newest addition, Meghan Markle.

Will Meghan Markle join the royals for Christmas?

According to a recent article published by The Sunday Times, Meghan will be the very first fiancée to join the royal family for Christmas at the Sandringham estate. She’ll also be the first fiancée to exchange and open gifts with the Queen on December 24, before she is an “official” member of the royal family.

Are you as shocked as we are by the news? Even Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, wasn’t invited to participate in the royal holiday festivities — which are said to include a black-tie dinner, full English breakfast, and a pheasant shoot — during her engagement to Prince William in 2010.

Kate Middleton What

(Photo Credit: Giphy)

“It is expected Meghan will join Harry and the rest of the Royal Family for Christmas on the Queen’s estate in Sandringham in Norfolk this year,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express. “In 2010, Kate was not invited to do so after her engagement to William, nor was Mike Tindall after his to the Princess Royal’s daughter Zara Phillips, and only spouses and close family are usually invited.”

Luckily, the ever-gracious Kate doesn’t seem to mind, and sources even say she plans to help welcome Meghan to the annual affair.

“Kate and the younger members will help her through the strict protocol of the royal festive celebrations, which take place over three days and which can be daunting,” Fitzwilliams added.

This rare happening is apparently Prince Harry’s doing, reports The Sunday Times. Harry asked the Queen if she would make an exception for his bride-to-be, as she relocated last month from Toronto, Canada — where she spent seven years — to London just before the couple announced their engagement.

What can Meghan expect for her first royal Christmas?

According to Express, the three-day celebration will include several visits to church and a countless number of outfit changes. In fact, on Christmas day the family will make its annual 300-yard walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church, where sweet Princess Charlotte was christened in 2015.

Before Meghan makes her first royal trek to the church, she’ll be expected to attend a family tea party on Christmas Eve, but not after putting the finishing touches on the royal Christmas tree, of course. Later on, Meghan will participate in her first-ever royal gift exchange (no expensive gifts allowed!), right before the finale of the night — the formal black-tie dinner.

On Christmas morning, the family will enjoy a nice English breakfast before their traditional walk to the St. Magdalene Church, where Queen Elizabeth will do her annual Christmas broadcast, in which we’re assuming she’ll congratulate Harry and his future bride.

Queen waves

(Photo Credit: Giphy)

On Boxing Day, aka the day after Christmas, the family will take part in a pheasant shoot, though it’s unlikely Meghan will join.

Sounds like quite the celebration! We just know Meghan will blend right in and have a wonderful time — but we wish her luck anyway.

More from FIRST

Are Meghan and Harry Stealing Kate’s Baby Thunder With Their Ill-Timed Engagement?

A Timeline of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Love Story in Pictures

Meghan Markle Shows off Engagement Ring From Prince Harry — and It’s Stunning!

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