Rumours have been mounting for weeks now, of tension between Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton – but things just cranked up a gear according to a new report.
A royal source says things have got so bad, the new Duchess of Sussex – and her husband, Prince Harry – have turned down Kate and Prince William’s invitation to spend Christmas with them.
An insider tells The Sun pregnant Meghan, 37, and Harry, 34, will instead spend the festive period with the Queen at Sandringham Palace.
The foursome spent last Christmas together at Kate and Wills’ Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, but the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will reportedly be on their own this year.
The source says: “There’s not a huge amount of room at Sandringham so it’s quite surprising. Maybe they just want their own space.
“Things are civil between the couples but they don’t spend much time together.”
Read more: Thomas Markle drags up Prince Harry’s past shame in bruising interview
The former Suits star is due to give birth in the spring and, before then, they will be moving out of Kensington Palace – where Kate and Wills reside – and into a bigger house in Windsor.
It follows many awkward but of course unsubstantiated stories about bad blood between the couples.
According to The Sun, insiders close to the couples say Harry’s over-protectiveness of his new wife has put a strain on his relationship with his brother.
A courtier told the paper: “It’s my opinion that Harry feels he couldn’t protect his mother, so he’s going all out to protect his wife. This is his way of atoning.”
Read more: Piers Morgan lashes out at Meghan as she’s accused of trying to be Diana
Everything we hear about a royal Christmas sounds generally a bit weird and awkward anyway, right?
Do you think they were right to turn the invite down? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.