Prince Harry and Meghan Markle set for their first Christmas in the UK in 8 years

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle could be set for their first Christmas in the UK in eight years, HELLO! can reveal.

The Sussexes hope to spend the holidays with the Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland, with any potential plans depending on what she decides to do.

While previous reports suggested they could be returning to Montecito in California, where they spent the last six years after stepping down as senior working royals, HELLO! understands they are making early plans for a UK Christmas with Doria.

However, it’s believed that their plans are still unconfirmed.

Prince Harry embracing Prince Archie, while Princess Lilibet and Meghan Markle rouch foreheads in a forest© Instagram
The Sussexes could now spend Christmas in the UK, HELLO! understands
They’re also not expected to spend the festive season with the royal family, with a source previously telling The Times that they would find it “too awkward and too difficult,” adding that they’re not expecting an invitation.

HELLO!’s Royal Editor, Emily Nash, previously told A Right Royal Podcast that spending Christmas with Doria was “always the plan”.

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Thanksgiving comes at the end of November, but the couple’s children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, will be expected to attend school that week.

It’s also expected that Harry and Meghan will mark the weekend’s Remembrance events privately, and will not join the rest of the royal family at the Cenotaph in London.

The Sussexes’s Christmas preparations
Meanwhile, Meghan has already been getting ready for Christmas by planning a holiday collection for her As Ever lifestyle brand, previously revealing she’d been organising the launch since June.

Her new products have included a special advent calendar, based on the family’s home in Montecito.

Royal fans will also be expecting the couple to release a Christmas card again – after they shared two sweet images of the family for 2025, including posing together on a bridge with their children in their impressive garden in Montecito.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, wearing a white sweater and green skirt, sitting on a couch with a black box beside her.© As Ever
Meghan has already kicked off the countdown to Christmas
It marked a departure in tradition for the couple, who typically focus on highlighting their philanthropic and charitable work in their cards.

Last year, the family spent another Christmas together across the pond. In an As Ever update, Meghan said they’d spent the holiday “cuddled up” at home.

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Wishing her readers a “happy holiday”, Meghan wrote: “I plan to spend today cuddled up with my family – maybe pajamas all day, some Scrabble or Sequence (or Candyland for the kids), music playing, candles flickering, dogs snoring, endless grazing; the laughter, the sidebars, the deep breaths (you know the ones), the fun, and the memories.”

Harry and Meghan’s last royal Christmas
Harry and Meghan last spent Christmas with the royals at Sandringham in 2018, ahead of their royal wedding in May that year.

Meghan was invited to the occasion as Harry’s fiancée – a royal first, as partners would usually marry before attending the significant occasion.

The couple joined the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip as they hosted the holidays, alongside Prince William and Princess Catherine.

Prince Charles, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry walk together on a path.© UK Press via Getty Images
Harry and Meghan at Sandringham in 2018
The royals headed out together to church before a sit-down lunch of roast turkey and trimmings at Sandringham House.

The Sussexes also spent Christmas with the royals in 2017 and told the BBC afterwards it had been “great fun”.

“The family loved having her there. I think together, we had an amazing time,” Harry said.

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He added: “There’s always that family part of Christmas [where] there’s always that work element there as well, and I think together we had an amazing time.

“We had great fun staying with my brother and sister-in-law and running round with the kids. Christmas was fantastic.”

In 2019, Harry and Meghan spent Christmas in Canada with a baby Prince Archie, and enjoyed their first holidays in Montecito in 2020.