MEGHAN, HARRY & THE BIG PALACE RIFT

The Duchess of Sussex is at the centre of a storm as rumours fly about clashes with Kate and run-ins with royal staff

IT’S a time of festivities, when young and old gather for feasting, fun and family togetherness – but it’s safe to say there will be a fair amount of baggage along with the Brussels sprouts at a certain clan’s Christmas table this year. In the weeks leading up to the holidays one bombshell after another was dropped with dizzying speed, each providing fascinating insight into the growing drama at the heart of the House of Windsor.

And the person responsible for it all is the woman who was always expected to shake up the monarchy – although this might not be quite what royal observers had in mind at first.

When Meghan Markle was folded into the bosom of The Firm, much was made of a new era of inclusivity and modernity in the tradition-mad monarchy.

An American woman of mixed race, a divorcée, a Hollywood actress – bring it on! Confident, vivacious and lovely, Meghan (37) became a global darling and her glorious wedding to Prince Harry (34) dripping with feel-good gorgeousness only cemented her status.

Yet the Duchess of Sussex is proving to be even more of a force to be reckoned with than predicted. As the countdown to Christmas begins in earnest, we look at the controversy that’s been raging at Kensington Palace and beyond. And why there might be some truth to the rumours that Meghan could be driving a wedge between her husband and the future king of England.