Meghan opened up about spending Thanksgiving with Prince Harry, Archie and Lilibet

Meghan Markle is embracing a wholesome, homegrown Thanksgiving this year, with a little help from Prince Harry, their two kids, and the family garden.

In a recent newsletter from her lifestyle brand As Ever, the Duchess of Sussex gave fans a peek into her family’s holiday traditions at their Montecito home, where the harvest starts right in their backyard.
Meghan opened up about spending Thanksgiving with Prince Harry, Archie and Lilibet (Credit: Johns PKI/SplashNews)

Meghan Markle shares Thanksgiving tradition with Prince Harry, Archie and Lilibet

“When it comes to our founder’s favourites, the delicate, herbaceous flavour of sage ranks high on the list,” the newsletter shared.

They explained that the purple flowering plant seen in Meghan’s recent Instagram posts isn’t lavender. It’s a special variety of sage called Santa Barbara.

The newsletter also revealed that Archie, Lilibet, and even their dogs join her and Prince Harry on garden strolls where they pick herbs and check on the bees.

“Those strolls, with Archie and Lili running in tow, her husband checking on the bees… those were the sun-drenched moments that made an everyday walk something a bit more magical,” it read.

These idyllic scenes have inspired the brand’s latest launch. As Ever’s Sage Honey with Honeycomb is crafted using fresh sage and honey from Meghan’s garden. The $32 jar is now part of the brand’s “Montecito Thanksgiving love story.”

The Duchess also shared a recipe tip. Combine the sage honey with mustard, lemon juice, spices, and stock. Altogether, this makes a glaze for your Thanksgiving turkey, one of Meghan’s favourite holiday touches.

“When dreaming up the Holiday Collection months ago, Meghan imagined what it would taste like to have a sage honey drizzled on her Thanksgiving turkey,” the newsletter noted.

To complement the new release, the As Ever Instagram account posted a cosy holiday reel featuring Meghan preparing a table set with green velvet ribbons, porcelain plates, and a perfectly glazed turkey.

The caption read, “Our table is set with a seat just for you.”

Meghan Markle update

Thanksgiving in Montecito tends to be relaxed, according to Meghan. In a 2024 interview with Marie Claire, she shared that her mum, Doria Ragland, who lives nearby, always joins the celebration.

“Being close to my mum is great,” Meghan gushed. “I always make sure there’s room at the table for friends who don’t have family.”

In 2023, one surprise guest was Gloria Steinem, who joined the Sussexes for a quiet Thanksgiving meal. But even with high-profile visitors, Meghan said her focus is on Archie and Lilibet.

“At first, I think as a mum with children, you’re just enjoying having them there,” she continued. “But now we’re at the age where I just can’t wait to see it through their lens every year.”

Meanwhile, a recent Instagram clip from Meghan’s holiday collection sparked mixed reactions. The video shows her placing gifts in beige stockings.

Some fans called the aesthetic calming, but others found it underwhelming. “Where are the Christmas colours?” one person commented. “There is not one thing that says ‘holiday cheer’ in this clip.”

While preparing for the holidays, Meghan is also returning to her roots. She’s currently filming a new movie, Close Personal Friends, for Amazon MGM Studios. It will be her first acting role since leaving Suits in 2017.

The film stars Lily Collins, Brie Larson, and Jack Quaid.