Meghan Markle’s festive Netflix special dropped this morning at 8am, with the Duchess of Sussex sharing her knowledge of British Christmas crackers with American celebrity guests.
The 56-minute programme, titled “With Love, Meghan – Holiday Celebration”, represents the closest the former actress came to acknowledging her royal past on screen, drawing on traditions she encountered during her time in Britain.
The 44-year-old experienced three Christmases in England before departing the UK in 2020 – spending one at Nottingham Cottage in London and two at Sandringham with the Royal Family.
Christmas crackers remain a staple of British festive dining, with the royals using specially commissioned crackers from a company holding a Royal Warrant dating back to 1906.
The late Queen Elizabeth was reportedly fond of the jokes found inside.
Meghan Markle’s festive Netflix special dropped this morning at 8am, with the Duchess of Sussex sharing her knowledge of British Christmas crackers with American celebrity guests.
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Netflix
In the special, Meghan introduced New York restaurateur Will Guidara to the tradition, demonstrating how to craft the festive items.
She explained that pulling crackers forms a significant part of British Christmas culture, telling him: “Typically people cross arms and do it.”
Guidara expressed surprise at the communal nature of the activity, asking: “No way. So you’re doing it with the other person?”
Meghan confirmed that everyone pulls simultaneously, with Guidara responding: “That’s awesome.”
Meghan confirmed that everyone pulls simultaneously, with Guidara responding: “That’s awesome.”
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Netflix
The Duchess described the experience as meaningful, saying: “It actually does feel really connected and sweet. The way that I really started to know them was they would always have almost a fortune cookie size joke or riddle and something sweet.”
She then taught Guidara the craft of making crackers, filling them with dried flowers, confetti and chocolates.
Meghan proceeded to create personalised crackers for her family members, tailoring each to their individual preferences.
For four-year-old Princess Lilibet, she included a lavender roller ball, explaining: “Lili really likes trying to be a grown-up lady at the moment. So this is like a little lavender roller ball.”
Six-year-old Prince Archie received a cracker containing a miniature burger, with Meghan noting: “Now I’m onto Archie’s and I’m doing burgers. He loves the colour red.”
Prince Harry’s cracker contained a love letter, chocolate and a small hat, according to the Duchess of Sussex.
Guidara praised the approach, saying: “Do you know why I love this? This idea of just doing something fun that’s orchestrated and intentional at the beginning of the meal I think is really cool.”
Prince Harry’s cracker contained a love letter, chocolate and a small hat, according to the Duchess of Sussex.
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GETTY
The special, filmed near the couple’s Montecito home, carries a distinctly southern Californian atmosphere while attempting to capture the warmth of a large family gathering.
Prince Harry makes his appearance during the final five minutes of the programme, steering clear of what Meghan jokingly termed an “anti-Christmas” dish containing foods he dislikes – which he had earlier dubbed the “anti-salad”.
Meghan was also shown adding handwritten decorations to the family tree for her children, reading: “I love you because you are so kind. I love you because you’re so brave.”