Meghan Markle opens up on her and Prince Harry hosting guest during special occasion with Archie and Lilibet
Meghan Markle opened up on a guest joining her family for Thanksgiving during a recent interview.
The Duchess of Sussex has shared intimate details about her family’s holiday traditions, revealing how celebrations have evolved since becoming a mother to Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
Meghan, 43, expressed her growing enthusiasm for the holiday season, adding that “every year it gets better.”
She reflected on how her children’s understanding of festivities has developed over time.
Meghan said during an interview with Marie Claire: “At first, I think as a mom with children you’re just enjoying having them there, but they’re not understanding everything that’s happening yet.
“But now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year.”
The Duchess revealed that their Thanksgiving celebrations in California remain “pretty low-key”, with family closeness at the heart of their traditions.
Living near her mother Doria Ragland since relocating to California in 2020 has been particularly meaningful for Meghan.
“Being close to my mom is great,” she told Marie Claire.
The Sussexes ensure their table always has space for those without family nearby, including notable guests such as feminist icon Gloria Steinem, who joined them last year.
The festivities include sharing meals and playing games, with someone often bringing a guitar for entertainment.
“Like any other family, you spend time having a great meal and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff,” she explained.
The Duchess emphasised the importance of creating lasting holiday memories for Archie and Lilibet through traditional activities.
“Every single holiday is a new adventure,” she shared with Marie Claire, highlighting how special recipes become connected to formative memories for the children.
The family maintains festive Christmas traditions, including leaving carrots out for Father Christmas’s reindeer.
These customs help establish meaningful connections for the young royals as they grow older.
Meghan stressed how each celebration becomes more significant as the children develop a deeper understanding of these traditions.
The family’s approach combines both American and British holiday customs, creating their own unique celebrations in their California home.
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The Duchess’s commitment to holiday traditions extends beyond her family circle through her work with the Archewell Foundation’s Welcome Project.
She recently hosted a holiday dinner in Venice Beach for Afghan women building new lives in California.
The event, held at woman- and immigrant-owned cookware company Our Place, brought together members of Minas List and the Southern California chapter of the Welcome Project.
“You miss home, you miss your country, and also can find comfort in the new community that you have here,” Meghan told the gathered women.
The Welcome Project, launched by Harry and Meghan in 2023, now operates across nine states with 11 branches.