A festive FAMILY REUNION?

The King and Prince Harry are repairing their relationship, reports Emily Andrews

- By Emily Andrews

The hurt and heartbreak of family breakdown are no respecters of rank or royalty. The past five years has seen the Duke of Sussex estranged from his family after he hurled public grenade after public grenade in their direction. Yet in September, the first meeting between the King and Harry in 19 months has suggested a thaw in relations.

Could it mean Harry bringing Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet, to a family Christmas at Sandringham?

Harry, 41, has made no secret of the fact he'd like to kiss and make up. But after the many criticisms he's thrown at them, through his autobiography Spare and Netflix film deals, even he admits it will be an uphill battle.

Earlier this year, he told the BBC, 'There have been so many disagreements, differences between me and some of my family. Some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book, of course they will never forgive me for lots of things, but... I would love reconciliation with my family.'

Unified and dignified

For the Royal Family, Christmas at Sandringham is as much about projecting their unity, stability and longevity as much as the black-tie dinner on Christmas Eve, watching the King's speech and eating turkey.

In the lexicon of royal iconography, appearance is substance - which is why the Prince and Princess of Wales included their three children on the public walk to St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas Day from such a young age (Charlotte was four and George was six at their first service in December 2019. Louis was also four in 2022).

This year, there is the added pressure of the King's health.

Buckingham Palace are staying tight-lipped about the monarch's cancer diagnosis, only confirming that his treatment is ongoing. Unlike his daughter-in-law, Kate, who announced she was cancer-free earlier this year, it's viewed as unlikely that such a missive will be released about the King.