Meghan Markle Already Planning California Reunion As Sussexes Expect No Royal Christmas Invite

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Meghan Markle may be settling into life in Britain, but she already has a California reunion planned. The Duchess of Sussex is making plans with friends ahead of a holiday return to the United States after moving to the U.K. with Prince Harry and their children in August.

While the family builds a new routine across the Atlantic, Meghan is keeping close to her Montecito circle and looking forward to seeing her mother, Doria Ragland. Their holiday plans also mean another Christmas away from the royal family’s traditional Sandringham gathering.

Meghan Markle Misses California And Her Mother

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According to PEOPLE, Meghan is “doing well” following the family’s move back to Britain, though she misses the people she left behind. A source close to the couple said the 45-year-old remains in regular contact with her California friends and Doria, who lives in Los Angeles.

“She’s keeping busy, as she always does, and staying in close contact with her friends in Montecito,” the source said. “She does miss home and her mom. They’re planning to come back for the holidays. Meghan’s looking forward to seeing her friends and making plans with them already.”

The Sussexes have retained their Montecito property, keeping a connection to the place where they established their family home after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.

Archie And Lilibet’s Adjustment Comes First

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Meghan’s biggest priority during the move has been helping Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, adjust to their new home and school. The source told PEOPLE that she “has a great attitude about it all” and is pleased with how the children are handling the transition. “The kids have adjusted well, and that’s the most important thing to her,” the insider added.

Getting their routine established initially took precedence over other commitments. Now that the children are settling in, Harry and Meghan are making more room for their professional projects. “After they first arrived in England, their focus was on establishing a routine and getting the kids settled into school,” the source said. “Now they’re both excited to focus more on their work and the projects that matter to them.”

The couple is also keeping family time on the calendar. “During the week, while the kids are in school, they’re working,” the source told PEOPLE. “They’re enjoying family weekends together.”

• Meghan Markle faced an awkward “$2,520” donation estimate after wearing a reported $37,000 look to a Malala dinner.
• An expert described the boos Prince Harry faced during a solo outing as the “stuff of royal nightmares,” calling the reaction a reality check.
• Meghan’s signature slicked-back hairstyle also prompted a warning about possible “permanent hair loss.”
• Harry and Meghan planned a royal-style outing despite King Charles’ reported warning about their status as “private citizens.”
• Meanwhile, Harry is reportedly “reining” Meghan in over her “celebrity tendencies” as they adjust to life in the U.K.

Meghan Brings A Piece Of Montecito To Her Holiday Collection

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Meghan’s California home is also showing up in her latest business venture. Her lifestyle brand, As ever, recently unveiled its first holiday collection, including an Advent calendar inspired by the Sussexes’ Montecito house and garden.

Created with Los Angeles chocolatier Compartés, the keepsake calendar features illustrations drawn from the property and contains 24 chocolates. The countdown numbers are written in Meghan’s handwriting.

The design gives the festive collection a personal connection to the home the couple has kept despite relocating to Britain. It also brings a California collaborator into Meghan’s holiday lineup as she continues working on the brand from across the Atlantic.

Between keeping up with friends, planning a return visit and incorporating Montecito into her products, Meghan’s ties to her former everyday surroundings remain strong.

Harry And Meghan Plan To Spend The Holidays With Doria

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PEOPLE confirmed over the weekend that Harry and Meghan plan to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with Doria. The location of both celebrations will depend on her preference, the report said. Those plans put the Sussexes outside the royal family’s usual Christmas gathering at King Charles’ Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

A source told The Sunday Times that the couple was not expecting to take part. “They know it would be too awkward and too difficult,” the source said. “They also know they’re not going to be invited, and they’re not waiting for an invitation.”

Harry and Meghan last spent Christmas with the royal family in 2018. Meghan was pregnant with Archie when they joined Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Kate Middleton for the traditional Christmas Day church service. Although Harry has had contact with Charles in recent months, including a July meeting at Highgrove with Meghan and the children, his relationship with William remains strained. “There has been no movement, especially on William’s side,” a source previously told PEOPLE.

The Sussexes Have A Joint Nottingham Visit Ahead

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Before the holiday reunions, Harry and Meghan have another date on their schedule. The couple announced a visit to Nottingham on Thursday, October 15, their first official joint outing since returning to the U.K. They will reconnect with several causes close to their hearts as they shift more attention toward work following the family’s settling-in period.

The visit comes as Meghan balances her brand commitments with the routine she and Harry have established around the children’s school week. For now, that means work during the week, family weekends and plans for time with Doria and friends over the holidays. Meghan may have a new routine in Britain, but she is already looking forward to catching up with the people she misses in California.