How Meghan Markle, Prince Harry May Celebrate Christmas With Royal Family: Report

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will be spending Christmas in California this year but that doesn't mean they won't be celebrating the holiday with their royal relatives in their own way, a report says.

It has been months since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex left the U.K. and settled down in the U.S. after stepping down as senior members of the royal family. Despite rumors of a rift between the couple and the British clan, particularly between Prince William and Prince Harry, a friend of the Sussexes recently told Vanity Fair that they have actually grown closer to their royal relatives.

"I have no doubt they will be video calling each other over Christmas," the insider told the outlet.

The friend went on to say that Prince Harry and Markle's relationship with Prince William, Kate Middleton and the rest of the royal family is "much better than it was" earlier this year.

Prince Harry and Markle will be spending the holidays in their $14 million mansion in Montecito with her mom, Doria Ragland. The duchess will be overseeing the menu and cooking for the family on Christmas.

This year, Prince Harry and Markle were busy setting down their legacy and adapting to their new life after resigning from their royal roles. Royal correspondent Omid Scobie said they were excited for 2021, when their fans would finally get to see the results of the royal couple's efforts.

"I think they’re excited and optimistic about 2021 when everything will come to realization. We’ll see the fruits of their labor— Archewell, Netflix. I think it’s the year we will get to see what their legacy will be," Scobie said.

He continued, "There has been a lot of talk about what they’re working on, but 2021 is when they actually get to start showing us."

Previous reports claimed that Prince Harry and Markle were considering flying to London to see the Queen for the holidays. But travel restrictions had made this difficult for the pair, who were reportedly frustrated with their inability to connect with others in person.

"Covid has had an impact on their work—it has meant that they haven’t been able to be on the ground the way they planned to be," a friend of the couple said. "They value being able to connect with people in person. That’s why they’ve done various bits of volunteering, some of which were public while some have remained private."