Meghan Markle, a.k.a. Duchess of Sussex, a.k.a. our favorite Hallmark-movie-meets-royalty success story, has shared some juicy tidbits about her holiday plans. In a chat with Marie Claire, she dished on how the royal-ish family of four celebrates the most magical time of the year. Spoiler: it involves carrots for reindeer, guitars, and a surprise guest who isn’t Santa.
Holiday Cheer: Markle Style
“I love the holidays,” Meghan declared, sounding like every mom who’s trying to keep the Elf on the Shelf saga alive for one more season. She explained that when kids are little, they’re basically there for the vibes, not the details. “At first, as a mom, you’re just enjoying having them there,” she said. Translation: Archie (5) and Lilibet (3) are still in that sweet phase where they don’t realize how much work Mom puts into making Pinterest-perfect memories.
For Meghan, every holiday is like a new episode of The Crown—packed with drama, traditions, and the occasional curveball. She’s all about teaching her kiddos the “magic” of traditions, whether it’s Thanksgiving recipes that will one day spark childhood nostalgia or leaving carrots for Rudolph and his crew, which may or may not end up being “rediscovered” in the morning by a very confused family dog.
Games, Guitars, and Gobble-Gobble Goals
When it comes to Christmas, Meghan says their day sounds surprisingly…normal? “Like any other family, you have a great meal and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff. Someone brings a guitar—fun.” Now, pause. Who’s the mysterious “someone” with the guitar? Is it Harry? Is it Lilibet in a dramatic plot twist? Either way, we’re picturing an impromptu Wonderwall sing-along that probably sounds like a royal Spotify commercial.
Thanksgiving, however, is where things stay chill. No massive turkeys on thrones here. “Being close to my mom is great,” Meghan said, referring to Doria Ragland, who lives in Los Angeles—a.k.a. just a short royal carriage ride (or SUV, let’s be real) away from Montecito.
Open Table for Surprise Guests
While Meghan’s Thanksgiving vibes are “low-key,” she’s always ready to pull out an extra chair for a surprise guest. “You always make sure there’s room at the table for your friends who don’t have family,” she said, clearly having mastered the art of holiday hostessing. Oh, and one year, casually, Gloria Steinem stopped by for Thanksgiving. No big deal. Just a feminist icon passing the cranberry sauce.
The Sussex holiday formula: mix one part nostalgia, two parts low-key vibes, sprinkle in some reindeer carrots, and top with a celebrity guest.
