Far from the world of royal banquets and formal regal traditions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prefer a more low-key Christmas these days. Since moving to balmy Montecito in California in March 2020, Harry, Meghan and their two children Prince Archie , four, and Princess Lilibet , two, have opted for relaxed festive celebrations on their luxury five-acre estate. "We're probably talking barbecues and walks on the beach for the Sussexes rather than obligatory black-tie dinners and pheasant shoots at Sandringham," says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.
"As far as we know, Christmas is a small family occasion with Meghan's mum Doria Ragland, and a few close friends popping over. It's far more intimate than what goes on at Sandringham, with a very different vibe." It is thought that Meghan, who is a keen cook, takes control in the kitchen, although Cali-style feasting also looks a little different on Christmas Day.
As former royal chef Darren McGrady, now based in the US, tells OK!, "Most people in America have turkey at Thanksgiving instead, so come Christmas, everyone's done with it and they go for things like prime rib, roast beef and big hams. Christmas is not really a big thing in America, especially for Brits." Despite keeping things understated, Meghan is still likely to inject some festive flair into the family's eight-bedroom mansion.
Writing on her old blog, The Tig, she once gave her top tips for creating show-stopping dining-room decor at Christmas. "When creating a tabl.
