President Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, will be coming to the UK

Meghan Markle’s festive Netflix programme is set to premiere on the same date as a significant state occasion at Windsor Castle, creating an overlap in public attention between the Royal Family and the Sussexes.

The former actress will release a Christmas episode of With Love, Meghan on December 3, the day German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrives in Britain for an official state visit.

The streaming special will feature the 44-year-old sharing her preferred Christmas traditions, seasonal crafts and recipes alongside several celebrity guests.

Meghan confirmed the release on Instagram, writing: “Embrace traditions and make new ones this holiday season. With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration arrives December 3rd on @netflix.”

Meghan Markle’s Christmas special set to clash with Windsor State Visit

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The accompanying post showed an elaborate seasonal table arrangement decorated with greenery, ribbon, candles and crystal glassware.

According to Netflix, the programme will show the Duchess “sharing her favourite holiday traditions, seasonal crafts and family recipes with friends old and new”.

Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla will begin their hosting duties at Windsor Castle as they welcome President Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender, for the three-day visit.

The engagement represents the fifth German state visit to the UK since 1958 and follows the King and Queen’s state visit to Germany in 2023, which was Charles’s first overseas trip as monarch.

Meghan Markle has announced her Christmas special on Netflix

 | INSTAGRAM: @MEGHAN

President Steinmeier also attended the Coronation in May 2023 and has made several previous visits to the UK in both official and private capacities.

The state visit, confirmed by Buckingham Palace in October, will include formal ceremonies, diplomatic meetings and cultural engagements, with the King and Queen acting as hosts throughout.

The new festive instalment of With Love, Meghan follows the programme’s second series, which featured appearances from fashion presenter Tan France, television personality Chrissy Teigen and motivational speaker Jay Shetty.

The Sussexes first signed their streaming agreement with Netflix in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties, with reports placing the value of the deal at more than £74million.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender will visit the UK

 | REUTERS

Meghan will star in a Christmas special episode in December as part of the With Love, Meghan series

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In August, the couple announced they had also secured a “multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects”.

Speaking at the Fortune Most Powerful Women summit in Washington, DC, Meghan described the new contract as “an incredible sign of the strength of our partnership” and said it offered her and Prince Harry “flexibility” to explore creative projects beyond Netflix’s core commissions.

The Duchess has not confirmed whether With Love, Meghan will return for a third series.