In a break from royal tradition, Prince Harry's fiancee Meghan Markle has been invited to spend Christmas with the royal family which will be hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at her Sandringham estate, an official said today.
Kensington Palace confirmed that the American actress, officially confirmed as a new princess-to-be when Harry announced his engagement to her last month, has been invited for the royal festivities which take place in Norfolk, East Anglia region of England, every year.
The 36-year-old 'Suits' star will become the first unmarried partner of a royal to attend the traditional celebrations alongside Harry, the 91-year-old Queen's grandson and fifth in line to the British throne.
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Harry, 32, will accompany his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton alongside Markle to Sandringham.
"You can expect to see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry and Ms Markle at Sandringham on Christmas Day," a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.
Royal partners have until now had to wait until they were officially married before being invited to spend Christmas with the Queen and the rest of the family at Sandringham.
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, was not invited to join Prince William in 2010 despite announcing their engagement a month before.
England rugby legend Mike Tindall was also not invited during his engagement to Princess Anne's daughter and the Queen's grand daughter Zara Phillips, in 2010.
According to UK media reports, a pre-wedding Christmas invitation signals how fully Markle has been welcomed into the royal family after her 16-month romance with Prince Harry.
They are expected to join the Queen from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, before holidaying abroad for the New Year.
They are also planning to joinMarkle's mother Doria Ragland in California for part of the time.
It is thought the couple may stay with William and Kate and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at their family home of Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate.
The royal family traditionally gathers on Christmas Eve for tea with the Queen, before the younger members are encouraged to put the finishing touches to the Christmas tree in the white drawing room.
Later, the Queen's guests exchange gifts before a formal black-tie dinner.
On Christmas morning, after a full English breakfast, the royal family attend St Mary Magdalene Church on the estate and greet well-wishers before returning to Sandringham House for Christmas lunch.
Guests then gather to watch the Queen's Christmas broadcast to the rest of the country at 3 pm (local time), which this year is expected to see her offer congratulations to Harry and his future bride.
On Boxing Day, guests traditionally take part in a pheasant shoot on the 20,000-acre estate. Markle, who is thought to be opposed to blood sports, is unlikely to join in.
Prince Harry and Markle's engagement was announced on November 27, when it was revealed that the royal had proposed to his girlfriend earlier in the month.
The couple are due to get married at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in May next year.
Harry's father Prince Charles married his second wife Camilla Parker Bowles at the same chapel.
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