Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have embraced a new life after stepping back from royal duties, relocating to California and celebrating the holidays in a more intimate setting. Their festive card featured their children, Archie and Lilibet, showcasing family moments. Meghan emphasized the joy of holiday traditions and family bonding, while Harry remains protective of their children’s privacy, aiming to provide them with a normal upbringing away from the public eye.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s New Chapter
Over a year after their memorable wedding at Windsor Castle’s Saint George’s Chapel, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took a significant step by announcing their departure from royal duties via Instagram. This decision marked the beginning of their journey away from the British royal family. Following their ‘Megxit’, the couple relocated to Beverly Hills and eventually settled in Montecito, California, purchasing a stunning property valued between $10 million and $14 million. Since leaving the UK, the relationship between the Sussexes and the British royal family has grown increasingly strained, prompting the couple to spend the festive season away from Sandringham.
Celebrating the Holidays in Their Own Way
Just days before Christmas, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed their festive holiday card featuring their beloved children. Archie and Lilibet last appeared in the documentary series Harry & Meghan on Netflix in 2022. This year, their holiday card included six heartwarming photos, one of which captures their children eagerly rushing towards their parents, while other images showcase the couple during their travels abroad.
In Harry’s previous life as a member of the royal family, he celebrated Christmas surrounded by a multitude of people. However, the Sussexes now embrace a quieter holiday season away from the UK. This year, they welcomed Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother, into their celebrations. Meghan recently shared her excitement about their holiday plans in an interview with Marie Claire magazine, highlighting the importance of family bonding during this time of year. “I love these holidays! We always make sure to have something fun to do. Like any family, you spend time around a good meal and then we play games, always the same ones, someone brings a guitar, it’s fun,” she explained.
While Meghan is typically private about her children’s lives, she made an exception during her conversation with Marie Claire. “As a mom, you simply appreciate their presence, but they don’t yet understand everything that’s going on. Archie and Lilibet Diana are five and three years old, so it’s even more enjoyable year after year. Now, we are at the age where I can’t wait to see what happens through their eyes each year,” she shared.
Maintaining a low profile regarding their family life, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prioritize the privacy and security of their children. A source close to the couple explained to People magazine that Harry is cautious about exposing his children to the public, not out of a desire to conceal them, but to safeguard their well-being. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex aspire for Archie and Lilibet to enjoy as normal a childhood as possible.