Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will still take part in a royal Christmas tradition despite tensions remaining high due to their explosive Netflix series, an expert has said.
The final episodes of the documentary are set to be released later this week and are set to explore their decision to step away from royal duties and make a life in America.
A dramatic trailer released yesterday appears to show Harry taking aim at his brother Prince William, with whom he has had a rocky relationship.
In it, he can be heard saying that people were “happy to lie” to protect his brother, while an image of Buckingham Palace is shown.
However, despite the rift between the brothers, royal editor and expert Roya Nikkhah writes that their families will still be exchanging Christmas gifts, with the Sussexes buying presents for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - and William and wife Kate sending parcels for Archie and Lilibet.
Writing in the Sunday Times, she says: "Believe it or not, the Waleses and the Sussexes are exchanging Christmas gifts this year.
"In the absence of goodwill between the couples, William and Kate will not deprive three-year-old Archie and Lilibet, one, of a present under the tree.
"And in one royal tradition that Team Sussex is still on board with, Harry and Meghan have also dispatched gifts for George, Charlotte and Louis, who are nine, seven and four. There will be no presents exchanged between the adults."
In the first three episodes released last Thursday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex railed against their treatment by the Firm.
Harry signified an ”unconscious bias” of racism at the heart of the institution while Meghan labelled William and Kate emotionless after she hugged them at their first meeting.
Harry also claimed the royals asked why Meghan should be "protected" from media speculation, alleging he was told it was something all royal women - including Princess Diana and Kate - have to go through.
While Meghan said she was left unprepared for royal life as she didn't know what a walkabout was and wore muted colours to blend in.
Meanwhile, royal insiders have said the King and William will keep “a dignified silence” and not engage in a “tit-for-tat” battle.
A source said: “As far as everyone is concerned it’s business as usual and there is no desire to engage in a tit-for-tat war of words.
“There’s certainly nothing in the first half worth engaging with and there’s nothing new about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex talking in public about their time in the royal family.
“A dignified silence is the order of the day as the focus is entirely on getting on with the job.”
