Meghan Markle offered a rare look inside her Christmas plans with Prince Harry, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, opened up in an email newsletter for her lifestyle brand As ever on Thursday, December 25, about how she would be spending the holidays with Harry, 41, Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4.
“Last night, I was nibbling the remnants of our Christmas Eve feast (dim sum this year), wrapping a few last minute gifts, and tip toe-ing down the stairs with my husband to make sure ‘Santa’ had enjoyed his cookies and ‘the reindeer’ had eaten their carrots — anything to maintain the morning magic of Christmas through our children’s eyes,” she wrote. “I plan to spend today cuddled up with my family — maybe pajamas all day, some Scrabble or Sequence (or Candyland for the kids), music playing, candles flickering, dogs snoring, endless grazing; the laughter, the sidebars, the deep breaths (you know the ones), the fun, and the memories.”
Meghan concluded with well wishes to those who supported her venture.
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“I hope that whether you’re cozied up in your pajamas like we are, or dressed to the nines, whether you’re with a huge gathering, with your partner, your kids, or on your own — wherever you happen to find yourself today reading this note — that you know I am wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and all the blessings that come with it,” she continued. “From my family to yours – Happy Holidays!”
Earlier this month, Meghan posted the family’s Christmas card via her social media account, along with the caption, “Happy Holidays! From our family to yours.”
The accompanying photo showed Harry and Meghan — who have been married since May 2018 — standing on a small bridge outside with their children. Archie wrapped his arms around his dad’s waist as Harry cupped his son’s face with his hand. Meanwhile, Meghan and Lilibet held hands and pressed their foreheads together. In keeping with their decision to maintain their kids’ privacy, neither of the little ones’ faces was visible in the picture.
Harry and Meghan also released a more formal holiday card featuring a photo of the couple holding hands in Canada during the Invictus Games in February.
“On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Archewell, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year,” the message read.
Elsewhere this month, Meghan shared her family’s Christmas traditions in her With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration special on Netflix.
“[It’s about] trying to really embrace and lean into making every day of that month special as you’re wrapping up a year,” she said of her homemade advent calendars for Archie and Lilibet. “But don’t feel like you have to do it all. Just embrace the special touches that bring you joy.”
Each day of Meghan’s advent calendars for her kids included a treat or handwritten note from her.
“All it’s really about is having a surprise and delight every single day for 24 days until you get to Christmas,” she explained. “They’re not supposed to be big things. They’re supposed to be small gestures.”
Meghan also teased what’s on the menu for her family for the holiday.
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“I love the tradition of a Christmas morning brunch,” she said, revealing that a cinnamon bun star serves as the centerpiece of their meal. “I do it every year with my family and I’ve already gotten a little head start — something sweet, something savory.”
Meghan and her family also enjoy her mom Doria Ragland’s gumbo on Christmas Eve as she explained, “It’s a once-a-year thing that she does.”
For a “fun family activity,” Meghan recommended cookie decorating before divulging that it’s “equally a very fun kids-have-gone-to-bed, quiet, calm, meditative moment” for her in her alone time.
Amid the typically joyful time of year, news broke earlier this month that Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, had his left leg amputated below the knee due to a blood clot. Despite their fraught relationship, Meghan successfully delivered a letter to her dad after his health scare, with her spokesperson telling Us Weekly, “With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands.”
