Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could spend Christmas with Queen Elizabeth.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

The newly-engaged couple may well be invited to spend the three days of the festive period with the Royal Family at Sandringham, Norfolk, eastern England, this year, even though it would be a break in tradition ahead of their marriage.

According to Mail Online, it is thought the 36-year-old actress will secure an invite to the festivities following the pair's engagement announcement on Monday (27.11.17).

But Prince William's wife Duchess Catherine was not invited to join him for Christmas in 2010, despite the couple - who have son Prince George, four, and two-year-old daughter Princess Charlotte - getting engaged a month previous.

Several other royals are expected to join the queen and Prince Philip at Sandringham on Christmas Eve (24.12.17)

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are expected to be in attendance, as are Princess Anne and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence.

Prince Edward with his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, and their children, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, are also thought to be on the queen's Christmas guest list.

Festive celebrations at Sandringham include a visit to church and there is a strict timetable for all events, with Christmas lunch said to only have a 50-minute timeslot.

On Boxing Day (26.12.17), Philip leads a traditional pheasant shoot.

In October, Harry was said to have introduced Meghan to the queen when he took her to tea with his grandmother at Buckingham Palace in London to discuss their impending engagement.

A source said at the time: "The couple arrived in time for tea at around 5pm. It is the queen's favourite part of the day and she loves it when her grandchildren are able to join her. She normally sits for half an hour eating from a selection of sandwiches, fruit or plain scones and cake. It is served with her own blend of Darjeeling and Assam tea, known as Queen Mary's blend."