The royal family has been divided for several years, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on poor terms with several members of Harry’s family. Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has had a difficult year, and it’s taught her that family always comes first.

Harry and Meghan are not expected to attend the royal family’s Christmas at Sandringham this year, but one former staffer believes that the Sussexes could receive a phone call from Princess Kate on Christmas — or that Harry and Meghan just might be the ones to reach out.

Earlier this year, Kate’s life shifted gears when she learned that she had been diagnosed with cancer. The Princess of Wales underwent abdominal surgery in January 2024, and it was later learned that the cause for her surgery was cancer-related. Throughout 2024, Kate has focused on her health and her family, and it might have played a role in the princess potentially speaking to Harry and Meghan on Christmas.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold, speaking on behalf of Slingo, reveals that he believes Kate Middleton could “reach out” to Harry and Meghan this holiday and that Harry and Meghan might even be the first ones to call.

“I believe that Catherine will reach out to Harry and Meghan and wish them a Happy Christmas, and I think Harry and Meghan themselves will possibly reach out,” Harrold said, via Express. “The thing about Christmas is that it’s all about goodwill to others, letting bygones be bygones … If there’s any point in the year that the families are going to communicate or touch base, it’s going to be over Christmas.”

Right now, there are plenty of unknowns regarding where things stand between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the royal family. But this year has certainly presented itself differently for the royals than past years.

Harry and Meghan have only attended one royal Christmas as a married couple, and right now, it doesn’t look like that will change soon. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped away from the family in 2020, and they have since avoided returning to the United Kingdom as a family except for extremely important events.

Harry has spoken publicly about the couple’s lack of security, and he has said that he doesn’t plan to bring his family to the UK until their royal security is reinstated. He’s been in court to battle the lack of protection. But who knows — maybe Harry and Meghan’s new Portugal home will be the sight of a royal Christmas one year.