Is This Meghan Markle's Last Christmas With Her Family?

Now that Meghan Markle is engaged to Prince Harry, many are wondering what it will mean when it comes to how she spends the holidays. Though traditionally, she would not join the royal family for their Christmas celebrations, tradition is expected to be broken this year and instead of traveling back to the U.S. for Christmas with her family, the former "Suits" actress is set to spend Christmas with her fiancé and his family.

According to Us Weekly, Markle will be the first fiancée to attend Queen Elizabeth's annual three-day Christmas feast celebration at her Sandringham estate.

"Attending as a fiancée is a first for the family," the source said, indicating that the invite came because her family is based in Los Angeles. "Given that Meghan doesn't have family in the U.K., it's only right that she spends Christmas with Harry and his."

The queen herself approved of Markle's attendance at the event, after Prince Harry asked her if it would be alright for her to attend.

"Harry asked the queen for permission last month, and she is delighted to have Harry bring his fiancée. It is a family occasion, after all, and Meghan is very much family now," the source said.

So what will the holiday celebrations entail? Here's what Markle will be looking at as she spends her first Christmas with the royal family:

What Happens On Christmas Eve?

According to Us Weekly, Markle's day will begin in the afternoon as she, Harry, and the rest of the family, join the Queen at Sandringham. Their gifts will be carried in by chauffeurs and valets, who will arrange them on the oversize trestle table.

The festivities will continue with a 4 p.m. tea, followed by the family swapping gag gifts with one another. Afterwards, they all dress in black tie (a requirement) for Christmas Eve dinner.

Following the meal, according to The Mirror, the women will all seperate from the men due to a tradition, where the female royals reportedy "retire with the Queen," while the men join the Duke of Edinburgh for port and brandy, as well as potential cigars.

How Does The Royal Family Celebrate Christmas Day?

Traditionally, the family all gathers together for an 11 a.m. service at St. Mary Magdalene church, which is preceded by a traditional English breakfast. Following church, a large lunch is served, featuring several items, according to the Sun.

"That's when they have a big lunch that includes a salad with shrimp or lobster, and a roasted turkey, and all of your traditional side dishes like parsnips, carrots, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding with brandy butter for dessert," a source told the publication.

The group is all then expected to join together to watch the Queen's traditional Christmas Day speech together, where she is expected to congratulate the newly engaged pair, and everyone has a few hours to themselves afterwards to relax before once again getting together for their evening meal. This one is considered far less formal than the lunch, consisting of a lavish buffet, where the senior chef is brought out at the end to enjoy a toast with the family.

Where Will Harry And Megan Stay?

Though they will be celebrating with the Queen at Sandringham, according to Us Weekly, Prince Harry and Markle will not be staying there. In fact, a source claimed they will actually be Prince William and Kate Middleton's guests at their home, Amner Hall, and they will all travel back and forth together for the various festivities.

However, there is another purpose to the couple's staying with them as well, as MArkle is expected to bow out of Boxing Day (the day after Christmas), to stay home with Kate, who is expecting her third child in April 2018, one month before Markle and Prince Harry tie the knot.

Will Meghan Markle Return To The U.S. After The Holidays?

Following Christmas with the Queen, it appears Markle still won't be making a return trip to the United States to see her family. According to Us Weekly, she and Prince Harry are planning on having a getaway together at the end of the year that will allow them to refresh and recharge before their very busy 2018 begins.

"They plan to go on vacation together for more than a week, " a source told Us Weekly. "Expect them to come back tanned, refreshed and ready to take on a very busy 2018."