No Xmas invite for Prince Harry's girlfriend

Nov 29, 2005, 23:21 GMT

Prince Harry's girlfriend has reportedly been snubbed by the British royal family - who have allegedly left her off their Christmas party list.

Chelsy Davy, who has been dating the British prince for 18-months, didn't receive an invitation to the royals' festive get together - but Prince William's girlfriend will be there, according to Britain's The Sun newspaper.

Queen Elizabeth is said to have asked Kate Middleton to Sandringham for the first time.

Kate will stay overnight before taking part in the traditional Boxing Day pheasant shoot with the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles.

William will then drive from the Norfolk estate to Berkshire to visit 23-year-old Kate's parents, Michael and Carole, at their home.

Author Ingrid Seward, who wrote the biography 'William And Harry', said Kate's invitation was very significant.

She said: "I think she and William are in a serious relationship but nobody's rushing to marriage.

Ms Seward said Kate faces "an ordeal" on Christmas Day.

She will be the first royal girlfriend to spend Christmas with the royals since Prince Edward introduced Sophie.

Seward said: "The royals share lots of in-jokes nobody else understands and talk about people nobody else knows. Then there is Prince Edward, who always runs some ghastly disco.

"I remember the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, when she was dating Prince Andrew. She tripped over the corgis and found the whole thing terrifying."

She added: "Only very serious royal girlfriends are invited to Sandringham. "It is a sign you are entering the inner circle and Kate going this year is certainly an official acceptance of her position, importance and role in William's life."

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