IT’S been six years since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry last celebrated Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham.

And, a body language expert has claimed that there were secret signs during their last Christmas trip in 2018 that there was trouble in paradise.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last spent Christmas with the royals at Sandringham in 2018
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last spent Christmas with the royals at Sandringham in 2018Credit: Getty

Their first Christmas was in 2017, before they tied the knot
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Their first Christmas was in 2017, before they tied the knotCredit: Getty

Body language expert Judi James said gave signals of 'signals of coyness, deference and pre-bridal excitement'
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Body language expert Judi James said gave signals of ‘signals of coyness, deference and pre-bridal excitement’Credit: Getty
The Sussexes have only attended two royal Christmases – in 2017 and 2018 – with 2019 being spent privately on Vancouver Island.

This was just before they announced they were stepping down as senior royals in 2020, and they now live in California with Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

Body language Judi James told Fabulous: “The royals’ walk to church ritual on Christmas day has evolved from a happy, festive airing of the Firm to a heady, toxic tightrope walk in terms of rifts, exclusions and pecking orders.

“Back in 2017 Harry and Meghan appeared as a glowing, newly-engaged couple showing no obvious hints of any brewing storm clouds as Harry forced some smiles and chatted with his brother, while Meghan’s body language was mainly about signals of coyness, deference and pre-bridal excitement.”

‘Coy’ Meghan

The couple were engaged for their first Sandringham Christmas
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The couple were engaged for their first Sandringham ChristmasCredit: Getty

Meghan 'clung like a limpet to Harry’s arm', according to Judi James
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Meghan ‘clung like a limpet to Harry’s arm’, according to Judi JamesCredit: Getty
She added that “shy” Meghan “clung like a limpet to Harry’s arm with her fingers curled around his bicep with the engagement ring on display.”

Judi added that for this first Christmas outing, there was no sign of tension between the now-estranged brothers Prince William and Prince Harry.

She added: “The two men mirrored each other’s movements in an expression of synchronised sibling bonding.”

Last Christmas signals

For their last royal Christmas, the Sussexes appeared more 'confident'
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For their last royal Christmas, the Sussexes appeared more ‘confident’Credit: Getty

Meghan and Harry showed signs of becoming a 'power couple'
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Meghan and Harry showed signs of becoming a ‘power couple’Credit: Getty – Contributor
However, for their last Christmas church walk in 2018, the tension was more apparent, particularly following reports at the time over a “rumoured rift.”

In 2018, the Sun told how  “simmering tension” began when William questioned the speed of Harry and Meghan’s engagement.

It was claimed Meghan left Kate in tears over her demands for Princess Charlotte’s dress in the run-up to her royal wedding in 2018 – which Meghan later claimed was the other way round.

Harry & Meghan reveal rare images of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet on Christmas card as couple share message
Judi claimed: “The mood-music had changed dramatically for the royal walk to church in 2018.

“It was Kate who moved across to Meghan to perform the smiling chat for the cameras, while Meghan retained her hold on Harry’s arm, carrying her bag between herself and Kate to suggest a no-thaw-here style of barrier.

“Kate gave good denial body language but the gesture looked forced and over-obvious and it was soon made clear those rumours did indeed have legs.”

Meghan kept her bag as a 'barrier' between her and Princess Kate
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Meghan kept her bag as a ‘barrier’ between her and Princess KateCredit: AFP
Meanwhile, speaking about Prince William and Prince Harry’s bond, the body language expert added: “While the two women were busy posting a public denial though, many fans missed the lack of any agreeableness or bonding signals between William and Harry here.

“The two men walked at either side of the line-up with none of their signature signs of playfulness or even friendly engagement or acknowledgement.”

While the relationship between the couples may not have been rosy, Judi said there were signs that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were more confident as a couple.

She added: “The Duke and Duchess were more evenly synchronised in terms of showing the signs of growing as a power couple.

The royals’ walk to church ritual on Christmas day has evolved from a happy, festive airing of the Firm to a heady, toxic tightrope walk in terms of rifts, exclusions and pecking orders

Judi Jamesbody language expert

“Meghan and Harry looked dressed for a funeral but their power dynamic as a couple, and as a very popular royal couple, was reflected in their confidence rituals, their more equal status posture and their more personal approach to the fans.

“Meghan was pregnant and although they were still posted inward from William and Kate, Meghan walked with an upright bearing and threw frequent, congruent smiles and emphatic waves at the crowds as though to acknowledge their support.”

William and Harry showed 'none of their signature signs of playfulness'
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William and Harry showed ‘none of their signature signs of playfulness’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Sussex snub?

Prince Harry has reportedly not been invited to spend Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the royal family, according to a royal expert.

The California-based Duke of Sussex last spent the festive period with his family six years ago, and has only done two with wife Meghan Markle.

Former royal correspondent Emily Andrews wrote in Woman: “Prince Harry is keen to spend the Christmas holidays in the UK with his wife and children — but Meghan wants to stay in the US.

“It’s a tricky time for Harry — he hasn’t spent Christmas here for six years and he could be forgiven for feeling rather lonely and estranged from his Windsor relatives.”

The Sussexes have spent the last six years privately, and are expected to celebrate in California with Archie and Lilibet
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The Sussexes have spent the last six years privately, and are expected to celebrate in California with Archie and LilibetCredit: Alexi Lubomirski
 

How do Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrate Christmas?

ONE royal tradition that Prince Harry has taken into his new California life is opening presents on Christmas Eve.

The royal wrote in Spare about his 2020 celebrations: “It was Christmas Eve. We FaceTimed with several friends, including a few in Britain.

“We watched Archie running around the tree. And we opened presents. Keeping to the Windsor family tradition.”

Harry also opened up about how they chose their Christmas tree.

He wrote: “We took Archie to find a Christmas tree.

“A pop-up lot in Santa Barbara. We bought one of the biggest spruces they had.

“We brought home, set it up in the living room. Magnificent.

“We stood back, admiring, counting our blessings. New home. Healthy boy.”

In an interview with Marie Claire, Meghan shared that Archie and Lilibet leave out “carrots for the reindeer”.

The couple are likely to spend the festive period with Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland.