Why Meghan and Harry won't spend Christmas with William and Kate

William, Kate, Meghan and Harry spent Christmas Day together at Sandringham last year. Photo / Getty Images

Rumours of a royal rift are escalating as it is alleged the Cambridges and the Sussexes will spend Christmas apart this year.

According to The Sun, the feud between Meghan and Kate can be traced back to when the two couples had a yuletide bust up last year.

And Christmas 2018 is set to see Kate and William spend Christmas far away from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

According to reports the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend the day with the Middleton family at Bucklebury Manor in Berkshire instead. Meanwhile the Sussexes will spend the day at Sandringham with the Queen.

The festive split follows news that Harry and Megan are moving out of their London home and relocating to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor to raise their first child.

There is now a list of rumours that suggests a rift between Kate and Meghan. Photo / Getty Images

The pending move is just one change in a series of reported issues that suggest the two couples are locked in an ongoing rift where a "dictatorial" Harry has allegedly taken issue with his brother, for failing to "roll out the red carpet" for Meghan.

As far back as last Christmas Meghan complained that not all members of the royal family had made her feel welcome, reports The Sun.

What followed was an attempt by Prince Charles to make amends with an invitation to William and Kate's country home near Sandringham. But the occasion allegedly turned sour due to a "ghastly row" between the Sussexes and Cambridges.

A senior royal aide told The Sun last Christmas that Meghan had been "downright rude".

"Kate had a quiet word with Meghan.

"It escalated rapidly after Meghan complained to Harry that she had been 'told off'.

"He took her side, while William defended Kate, who was five months pregnant with Louis and certainly didn't want this sort of confrontation" the source said.

According to The Sun, things are said to be a bit tense among the royal foursome. Photo / Getty Images

Their separation for Christmas adds to a number of rumours of growing hostility between the Duchess of Sussex, 37, and the Duchess of Cambridge, 36.

Among the latest in a string of rumours are reports that Meghan brought Kate to tears after a bridesmaid dress fitting for her daughter Charlotte .

Despite ongoing issues being alleged by insiders, details of a feud have not been addressed by Kensington Palace.