Meghan Markle is adding a touch of British nostalgia to her family’s holiday celebrations — and sharing it with the world.
The Duchess of Sussex’s festive Netflix special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, premiered Wednesday, Dec. 3, offering an inside look at how she entertains, decorates and celebrates the season alongside a rotating cast of celebrity friends.
One standout moment features Meghan, 44, embracing a classic British tradition: making Christmas crackers. Joining her in the craft room of her rented Montecito, California home is restaurateur Will Guidara, co-founder of the NoMad restaurants.
Christmas crackers — colorful tubes that “snap” open to reveal treats, jokes and a paper crown — have been a staple of U.K. holiday gatherings for more than a century.
“Living in the U.K., it’s just such a big part of the culture,” Meghan explains. “People cross their arms, everyone pulls at the same time… it feels really connected and sweet.”
She fondly recalls her first experiences with crackers during two royal Christmases at Sandringham in 2017 and 2018. The royal family has used handmade crackers from British manufacturer Tom Smith since 1906, with the late Queen Elizabeth reportedly delighting in reading the silly jokes aloud each year.
For her own family, Meghan adds personal touches.
Her cracker for Prince Harry includes a love note, chocolate and a festive hat. Six-year-old Prince Archie gets one themed around his favorite things — hamburgers and the color red. For four-year-old Princess Lilibet, Meghan includes a lavender rollerball, reflecting her daughter’s new fascination with “being a grown-up lady.”
Meghan and Guidara even try out a test cracker together, with Guidara winning the pull and the confetti-filled prize inside.
ALSO READ: Miley Cyrus Debuts Dazzling Engagement Ring at ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Premiere
The star-studded special also features appearances from Naomi Osaka, chef Tom Colicchio, close friend Kelly McKee Zajfen, and longtime confidante Lindsay Roth. Throughout the hour, Meghan visits a Christmas tree farm, prepares holiday treats, and shares DIY wrapping hacks. Prince Harry makes a brief cameo, sneaking a sweet kiss with Meghan in the kitchen.
“I love the holiday season,” Meghan says in the special. “It’s about finding time to connect with the people we love, embracing traditions and making new ones.”
The release also coincides with the debut of the first holiday collection from Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As ever, featuring sparkling wines, hand-poured candles, artisanal fruit spreads and California honey — several of which appear as part of her hosting spread in the episode.
With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration is now streaming on Netflix.
