King Charles ' "major problem" this Christmas is Prince Harry and Meghan not being at the Royal Family's festive dinner, says an expert.
As revealed by the Mirror last month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not expected to be at the annual meal - held at Sandringham - in which all members of the Firm get together.
This year, the monarch has even invited banished Sarah Ferguson, who had not been allowed to attend since 1992.
Late Prince Philip axed Prince Andrew's ex-wife after photos were released of her seemingly having her toes sucked by her financial adviser John Bryan that summer.
Royal author Robert Jobson said Charles is "showing us all what Christmas is all about - family and forgiveness" in taking the bold step.
However, writing in The Sun, he said the King's main concern this year will be the "missing" Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
"Charles has tried to forgive them — he would love to be able to end the friction — but contact with them has been limited," he said.
Mr Jobson said the monarch offered his son and daughter-in-law an olive branch just before the Queen's death but they turned up late to the meeting.
He went on to say, Charles "has been pushed to his very limit with the Sussexes", adding that the "spectre" of their Netflix series and Harry’s new memoir "are still hanging over the Royal Family".
Mr Jobson said: "It took three decades for Fergie to make it back to the Christmas table — for Harry and Meghan, it might be an even harder road back."
Prince Harry will not spend Christmas with the royals after fresh details emerged from his explosive memoir, sources revealed.
They said relations were “near rock bottom” and the Duke of Sussex will snub an invite from King Charles ahead of the book’s global release on January 10.
Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate have touched down in Boston, US, ahead of the Earthshot Awards on Friday - but reportedly had "no plans" to catch up with Harry and Meghan.
There has been friction between the two couples for some time, but they did reunite for a public display of grieving outside Windsor after the death of the Queen in September.
The Sussexes, who live in California, will be just 200 miles from Boston next Tuesday when they travel to New York City to accept an honour at the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Awards.
