Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are known for their elegant home interiors, and their Christmas decorations are no exception. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, the couple has lived in their Montecito mansion, offering occasional glimpses of their private life.
In their 2022 Netflix docuseries, viewers got a rare look at how the Sussexes celebrate Christmas, including their impressive Christmas tree. In one touching scene, Meghan’s cousin, Ashleigh, visits the family, and baby Princess Lilibet, then about six months old, is seen lying near a twinkling fir tree.
The tree, a centerpiece of their living room, reaches up to the ceiling and is decorated with understated charm—fairy lights and a few simple ornaments, including baubles and a toy Santa. Gifts wrapped in shiny paper and tied with bows sit beneath the tree, while a nearby table holds holiday cards and a pair of cuddly elves.
Harry and Meghan’s love for festive traditions dates back to their early days together. In December 2016, they were spotted picking out a Nordmann Fir tree from Pines and Needles in Battersea, London. The shop owner described them as “completely charming together.”
The couple announced their engagement in November 2017 and married the following May at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. They welcomed their son Archie in May 2019 while still in the UK and their daughter Lilibet in June 2021, shortly after moving to their California home.
This holiday season, the Sussexes are likely to celebrate in California, possibly joined by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. Despite no longer observing royal traditions, Harry revealed in his memoir, Spare, that they still honor the Windsor family’s custom of opening presents on Christmas Eve.
Reflecting on Christmas 2020, Harry shared: “We took Archie to find a Christmas tree. A pop-up lot in Santa Barbara. We bought one of the biggest spruces they had. We brought it home, set it up in the living room. Magnificent. We stood back, admiring, counting our blessings. New home. Healthy boy.”
He added: “It was Christmas Eve. We FaceTimed with several friends, including a few in Britain. We watched Archie running around the tree. And we opened presents. Keeping to the Windsor family tradition.”
In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Meghan shared that Archie, five, and Lilibet, three, have their own holiday traditions, including leaving out “carrots for the reindeer.”
