Meghan Markle lets slip big Christmas plans and secret Archie and Lilibet tradition

Each year, many wonder whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will reconcile with the Royal Family for a big Christmas celebration - and now Meghan has dropped a major hint on what exactly the Sussexes will be doing this year

Meghan Markle has dropped a major hint about her and Prince Harry's Christmas plans - and their 'magical' traditions with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Since sensationally quitting the UK and moving to the US, the couple have spent every festive season in California and have not returned for a big royal Christmas at Sandringham with the rest of the Firm. Although it has not been confirmed, it seems highly unlikely that the Sussexes would come to the UK for Christmas and look set to remain in California for the holidays. And Meghan has revealed exactly what Christmas might have in store for the Sussex family.

Her comments came as she hosted a special dinner for women from Afghanistan, who had relocated to California and were being supported by the Welcome Project, a cause supported by Meghan, which helps Afghan women.

The dinner was hosted in the run-up to Thanksgiving in America, which typically officially kicks off the festive season. And speaking to Marie Claire magazine at the event, Meghan revealed she "loves the holidays" and that with Archie and Lilibet now five and three "every year it gets better".

She told the publication: "At first, I think as a mom with children you're just enjoying having them there, but they're not understanding everything that's happening yet. But now we're at the age where I just can't wait to see it through their lens every year."

When it came to celebrating Christmas, Meghan said she was always making sure the family had something fun to do. She added: "Like any other family you spend time having a great meal and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff, someone brings a guitar—fun."

She also revealed how it was important for her for Archie and Lilibet to have memories of traditions such as sharing recipes for Thanksgiving and putting carrots out for the reindeer on Christmas Eve.

On the other side of the Atlantic, the royals are expected to decamp to Norfolk to the Sandringham estate where they celebrate the festive period, with the traditional church service on Christmas Day followed by a seasonal feast. Since the late Queen's death, King Charles has carried on the custom of inviting the whole of the family to the celebration.

It is unknown exactly if Harry and Meghan have been invited this year, but even if they were, there would be one massive stumbling block, as it seems the Sussexes would only come to the country if one major thing changes. According to The Telegraph, unless Harry can overturn a ruling by the Home Office that he is not immediately entitled to police protection when in the UK - he does not feel he can bring Meghan, Archie and Lilibet to his homeland.

Harry had been taking legal action over the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) after being told he would no longer be given the "same degree" of publicly-funded protection when in the country.

The court was told that Harry believes his children, Archie and Lilibet cannot "feel at home" in the UK if it is "not possible to keep them safe" there. At a previous hearing of the case, in a written statement, Harry said: "It was with great sadness for both of us that my wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020. The UK is my home.

"The UK is central to the heritage of my children and a place I want them to feel at home, as much as where they live at the moment in the United States. That cannot happen if it's not possible to keep them safe when they are on UK soil. I cannot put my wife in danger like that and, given my experiences in life, I am reluctant to unnecessarily put myself in harm's way too." Harry lost his claim earlier this year but has been granted permission to appeal the decision.