How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be spending Christmas in Montecito

Meghan Markle has revealed how the Sussexes will be remaining in California over the Christmas period.

This is set to be the family’s new norm after she and stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.

Meghan and Harry attended the annual Christmas Day service at Sandringham for just two years – 2018 and 2019 – before they announced they were stepping down from royal duties and moving stateside.

Like the last four years, the couple will spend this year’s festive period in California, likely with Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.

Following several accusations and damaging statements of the royal family, is thought to not be on speaking terms with Prince Williamwith a return to the UK for Christmas unlikely.

In January 2023, Harry released his controversial memoir Spare in which he was highly critical of members of his family.

OK! source revealed that although Archie and Lilibet will not spend the festive period with their cousins, Harry and Meghan are looking forward to making their own Christmas traditions with their new family.

The Duchess of Sussex recently hosted a Thanksgiving dinner in Los Angeles for Afghan women where she opened up about the festive traditions close to her family’s heart.

Meghan previously spoke about the importance of making ‘room at your table for your friends who don’t have family’ such as American journalist and social activist Gloria Steinem, who once attended the Sussexes’ Thanksgiving party.

“We’re always making sure we have something to do,” the Duchess told the Daily Mail . “Like any other family, you spend time having a great meal and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff, someone brings a guitar – fun.”

Meghan, 43, said the holidays get better ‘every year’ as her and ‘s children – Archie, five, and Lilibet, three – get older.

She told Marie Claire that their Thanksgiving festivities are ‘always low-key’ and how she appreciates being able to spend the holidays with her mother.