A Christmas party which split into two separate events was the first hint the Sussexes and the now-Waleses were set to separate their office, Harry and Meghan’s Netflix documentary has revealed.

James Holt, executive director of the couple’s Archewell Foundation, revealed a festive celebration due to be hosted by Kensington Palace for William, Kate, Harry, Meghan and their staff ended up as two parties.

Mr Holt, who was at the time head of communications for the Royal Foundation, said: “Every year Kensington Palace hosts a Christmas party for the principals and the staff.

“And so we were gearing for one big party and very shortly before the party, it became two parties.”

He added: “Actually that was the point that you realised that these offices are separating.”

It was not announced until March 2019 that Harry and Meghan were splitting from William and Kate’s household to establish their own within Buckingham Palace.

The Christmas parties are thought to have taken place in December 2018, just seven months after the Sussexes’ royal wedding.

At the time, there had been much speculation about the two royal couples, with continuing reports of a strained relationship between Meghan and Kate.

But the “Fab Four”, as they were dubbed, appeared together walking to church at Sandringham as they spent Christmas Day with the rest of the royal family.

Initially, palace official insisted Harry and Meghan would remain as part of William and Kate’s charitable foundation, but in June 2019, it was announced the Sussexes would set up their own foundation, later launched as Archewell.

The couple eventually stepped down as senior working royals in March 2020.