Meghan's mum Doria Ragland 'was never going to Sandringham' for Christmas

This year marks Meghan’s first Christmas at Sandringham as a member of the royal family.

But, while it’s her first Christmas as the Duchess of Sussex, the Queen did deviate from tradition last year when she invited the former actress, while she and Prince Harry were engaged – not married.

And there have been reports the Queen took another step away from tradition, by inviting Meghan’s mum to join the royals at Sandringham this year – but it’s unclear whether this is actually true.

“My understanding is that she’s not going,” royal correspondent Victoria Murphy tells Yahoo UK‘s The Royal Box.

“I don’t think that’s because they weren’t able to or anything like that, I just think it’s not usual for in-laws to go.

“I know it was suggested that she was going to go, but that was never confirmed.”

Although the Meghan is currently estranged from her father Thomas Markle and her half-siblings, she is incredibly close to her LA-based mother Doria Ragland.

Doria was the only member of her family at the wedding in May and the royal family appear to have welcomed her with open arms.

While Doria is said to have visited her daughter in the UK under the radar and even supported her at the launch of Meghan’s charity cookbook in September, royal biographer Duncan Larcombe says there “wasn’t a shred of truth,” about her going to the Queen’s Norfolk estate.

“That would have been such a break, such an enormous break from royal tradition,” he told the Royal Box.

“That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be welcome and she is very welcome within the royal fold, but Sandringham’s something special.”

Traditionally, only direct family members attend the Queen’s Christmas dinner.

But it was rumoured by royal insiders that the Queen’s invite was a sign of her affection for Meghan, who doesn’t have any family in England.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to attend the annual Christmas Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, along with the Cambridges, the Queen, Charles and Camilla.

Got a story tip? Send it to tips@oath.com

Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Or sign up to our daily newsletter here.