Before Meghan, Duchess of Sussex joined the royal family, she was an actress who grew up in a middle-class Californian family. Naturally, there were many things Meghan needed to learn about the royal family and, for instance, what one should do at the royals’ annual Christmas gathering.
Sources recently let the public in on how Prince Harry prepared Meghan for her first Christmas with the royal family. There are even claims that he had to make sure Meghan did not “show off,” especially when around Queen Elizabeth.
The royal family gathers for Christmas every year at Sandringham
The royal family takes their Christmas celebration very seriously. Every year, members gather at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, for Christmas and New Year.
The family also has traditions of decorating the Christmas tree, eating turkey, attending church services, and exchanging gifts.
Prince Harry reportedly advised Meghan Markle to not ‘show off’ during her first time at Sandringham
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Meghan first joined the royal family at Sandringham in 2017, not long after she and Harry announced their engagement. As reported by Express.co.uk, Harry was said to have given Meghan advice to tone down some parts of her strong personality, especially when it could offend Queen Elizabeth and others.
“They don’t like show-offs, especially newcomers who show off,” one palace aide reportedly said. “The Duchess has to resist that American urge to win at everything. The whole family likes to play charades on Christmas night and she must never beat the Queen, who is a fine actress herself.”
Express.co.uk also noted that the family has their annual pheasant shoot on Boxing Day, and Meghan, who is an animal rights activist, was allegedly told to not make a big fuss about it.
Ultimately, it seems Meghan did well at her first gathering at Sandringham. As reported by Town & Country, Harry later revealed on a radio interview, “She really enjoyed it. The family loved having her there. There’s always that family part of Christmas, there’s always that work element as well. And I think together we had an amazing time.”
Additionally, he shared that he and Meghan also spent time at Anmer Hall, the country estate that belongs to Prince William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. It is about two miles away from Sandringham.
“We had great fun staying with my brother and sister-in-law and running around with the kids,” Harry said. “Christmas was fantastic.”
Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend gatherings with the royal family in the future?
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Harry and Meghan stepped down from being senior members of the royal family earlier this year, and there have been many reports of tension between the Sussexes and other royals. However, it seems that has not stopped Harry and Meghan from attending royal gatherings.
The couple and their son, Archie, will reportedly visit Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she spends every summer. Trips to Balmoral in the summer are another big royal tradition that has gone on for many years now.
“Harry and Meghan are believed to have accepted the Queen’s invitation to visit her this summer at Balmoral, her Scottish retreat, and are planning to take their son with them,” The Sunday Times wrote back in March. “The Queen would love to see more of Archie, as would Prince Charles and the rest of the family.”