Meghan Markle Shares the Christmas Tradition She Cherishes with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are ushering in Christmas with a beloved tradition.

Last month, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about her love for the holiday season and the memories she looks forward to making with Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

Meghan told Marie Claire that the family puts out “carrots for the reindeer” as one of their favorite traditions.

Of spending the holidays as a family of four, she said, “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.”

“Every single holiday is a new adventure,” she added, stressing the importance of her kids experiencing the “magic” of traditions like “great recipes that they end up connecting to a formative memory.”

Archie and Lilibet appeared in the 2024 Sussex holiday card — their first time to do so since 2021, the year Lili was born (and when she made her public photo debut). In the photo — one of six featured on Harry and Meghan’s holiday card this year — Archie and Lilibet have their backs to the camera (red hair on full display!) as they run towards Harry and Meghan, who greet them with open arms. The last time the kids were shown was in the couple’s 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, released in December 2022 — two years prior.

PEOPLE understands that, while this card is meant for professional use, the family has sent a separate, private card to their close friends and family which will not be shared publicly.

While several royal family members are gathered in Sandringham to ring in the holiday, it will be another Christmas in the U.S. for the Sussex family of four, where they’ll likely be joined by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, for the festivities.

PEOPLE reported last month that Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, had not been invited to Christmas at Sandringham this year amid ongoing strained relations between Harry and his father, King Charles, and brother Prince William. 

Another sticking point for Harry is security for himself and his family, including children Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, multiple sources told PEOPLE earlier this year.  

Harry last saw his father in February, not long after Charles publicly announced his cancer diagnosis on Feb. 5. Harry has returned to the U.K. multiple times since then, but has not met up with the King, and communication has deteriorated between the two since the February meeting. Those close to Harry say the monarch no longer takes his younger sons calls and is also not responding to his letters.

“He gets ‘unavailable right now,’ ” a friend of Harry’s told PEOPLE earlier this year. “His calls go unanswered. He has tried to reach out about the King’s health, but those calls go unanswered too.”

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Earlier this month, Prince Harry told Andrew Ross Sorkin at The New York Times DealBook Online Summit in New York City of life in the U.S., “I very much enjoy living here and bringing my kids up here. It’s a part of my life that I never thought I was going to live.”

“I feel as though it’s the life that my mom wanted for me,” he added, referring to his late mother Princess Diana. “To be able to do the things I’m able to do with my kids that I undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the U.K. — it’s huge. That is a fantastic opportunity, and I’m hugely grateful for that.”