Meghan Markle recently offered fans a glimpse into her family’s holiday traditions through a newsletter for her lifestyle brand, As Ever.

The 44-year-old Duchess of Sussex shared how she and Prince Harry preserve the enchanting spirit of Christmas morning for their children, six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet.

According to Meghan, the family indulged in a delightful dim sum feast on Christmas Eve, followed by tucking Archie and Lilibet into bed.

Meghan described her ideal Christmas Day as one spent cozily with her family, playing board games at their Montecito, California home, surrounded by music, flickering candles, snoring dogs, and an abundance of snacks.

She concluded her message by extending a heartfelt wish for a “very Merry Christmas” and all its accompanying blessings to her followers.

The newsletter painted a vivid picture: “Last night, I found myself savoring the leftovers from our Christmas Eve dim sum feast, wrapping some last-minute gifts, and quietly tiptoeing downstairs with my husband to ensure that ‘Santa’ had his cookies and the ‘reindeer’ had their carrots—anything to keep the Christmas magic alive through our children’s eyes.”

‘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.

‘I hope that whether you’re cozied up in your pajamas like we are, or dressed to the nines, whether you’re with a huge gathering, with your partner, your kids, or on your own – wherever you happen to find yourself today reading this note – that you know I am wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and all the blessings that come with it.’ 

Meghan Markle has given fans a sneak peek into her family’s Christmas plans in a newsletter for her lifestyle brand As Ever

She revealed the Sussexes enjoyed a ‘feast’ of dim sum on Christmas Eve before tucking Archie and Lilibet into bed

It comes after Meghan shared a list of her favourite holiday songs – as she wished her Instagram followers a ‘safe and cosy Christmas’. 

The mother-of-two revealed the 16 tracks in a video of her getting ready for the festive season, with clips of her baking, cutting up ribbons and wrapping gifts. 

She can also be seen pouring drinks, slicing cured meats, whisking an egg and writing on a chalkboard. 

In top spot on the playlist was Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Norah Jones and Laufey, closely followed by Winter Wonderland by Ella Fitzgerald. 

Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You was eighth on the list and Last Christmas by Wham! came in ninth. 

I’ve Got Love My Love To Keep Me Warm by Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) also featured. 

Meghan captioned the post: ‘All the sounds of the season. Here is my personal list of favorite holiday songs on rotation in our home this time of year.

‘Wishing you a safe and cozy Christmas! Enjoy!’

Meghan Markle has shared her list of favourite holiday songs – as she wished her Instagram followers a ‘safe and cosy Christmas’

In top spot on the playlist was Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Norah Jones and Laufey, closely followed by Winter Wonderland by Ella Fitzgerald

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, revealed the 16 tracks in a video of her getting ready for Christmas, with clips of her baking, cutting up ribbons and wrapping gifts

It comes after Meghan last week released the clearest photo yet of Archie and Lilibet in a new family portrait posted on Instagram. 

The Duchess shared the image of herself and Harry, 41, with their children alongside the caption: ‘Happy Holidays! From our family to yours.’

Harry is shown with his hands cupped protectively around Archie’s head. Father and son are staring at one another lovingly, both with smiles on their faces.

Next to them on a bridge is Meghan and Lilibet. The Duchess is bent down to rest her forehead against her daughter’s while holding both her hands.

In dappled California sunshine, Lilibet’s face is covered by her strawberry blonde hair, which comes down to her shoulder blades. 

Archie is wearing jeans with a jumper or cardigan. His little sister is in a light blue dress, long white socks and gold shoes.

The photo was one of a number of carefully choreographed new glimpses of the young prince and princess on Friday.

Around two hours earlier the Sussexes published a ‘Happy Holidays’ video on their website – again featuring the six-year-old and four-year-old.

In the film Archie and Lilibet are shown helping their father push a trolley of food made to feed the poor in California on Thanksgiving this year – but again their faces are hidden.

Meghan follows them and the trays of cookies, while dancing a jig of joy at charity Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles.

The Sussexes also simultaneously released their own ‘holiday card’ – but unlike last year, their children are not featured.

Meghan and Harry are shown holding hands and smiling in the snow at the Invictus Games in Canada in February. 

It ends with the message: ‘On behalf of the Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Archewell, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year.’ 

Meghan is seen in her post opening a bottle as she prepares for Christmas 

Meghan has released this new family portrait on Instagram to mark the start of Christmas, although she used the word ‘holidays’

The Sussexes have already released their Christmas card for 2025 

The Sussex film and card were revealed as the couple also announced that their Archewell Foundation will be renamed Archewell Philanthropies – five years after it was founded following Megxit.

In yet another personal rebrand, the couple said the charity name change marked a moment to expand their mission globally, with Archie and Lilibet.

This year, the charity has advocated for safer digital spaces and the responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI).

It has also funded support for children affected by conflict in Gaza and Ukraine.

The Archewell Foundation takes its name from ‘arche’, the ancient Greek work meaning ‘source of action’, and ‘well’, symbolising ‘a plentiful source or supply, a place we go to dig deep’.

A spokesman for Harry and Meghan said: ‘This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family, with meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good.’

Royal commentator Phil Dampier said of the name change: ‘Archewell Philanthropies? Sounds like a chemist’s. They have truly gone bonkers. Sorry, even more bonkers’.