Meghan Markle Shares Sweet Ritual She Does With Kids Archie & Lilibet

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Meghan Markle is creating new memories with her kids.

I was so delighted to see Meghan start a really sweet new tradition with Archie and Lili! In her lovely Netflix special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, she revealed they’re using personalized advent calendars – what a wonderful way to count down to the holidays with her little ones and Prince Harry.

Meghan explains she wanted to create an advent calendar for her children because she loves the tradition. As she shared on December 3rd, standing beside two personalized calendars she made, the point isn’t about expensive gifts. It’s about enjoying a small surprise each day leading up to Christmas – little acts of kindness and thoughtfulness for 24 days.

Keeping that idea in mind, the former Suits actor decided to write personalized notes for Archie and Lili to open every day before the holiday.

She was writing little notes saying ‘I love you because you’re so kind’ and ‘I love you because you’re so brave,’ she said. She was trying to make each day of the month feel special as the year ended, but emphasized you don’t need to do everything to make it meaningful.

Meghan saw the new advent calendars as the start of a wonderful tradition she hoped her children would enjoy every year during the holidays.

She expressed hope that this would last for many years, adding that every tradition starts somewhere.

During the “Holiday Celebration,” Meghan, 44, was surprised by a visit from Harry, who arrived as she and celebrity chef Tom Colicchio were preparing food.

“I could smell gumbo as soon as I walked in,” the 41-year-old man said, kissing his wife before turning to Tom. “Gumbo is one of my favorite dishes, especially when it’s made like my mother-in-law makes it—before the fish is added.”

Meghan shared that her mother, Doria Ragland, always sets aside a small amount of food for Harry. She playfully warned him, though, that her cooking might be a little spicier than he’s used to.

“That’s andouille sausage,” she said. “My mom usually makes the turkey sausage for you, but this one is spicier. Here’s a towel, because it’s going to be hot!”

Her suspicions were correct, as Harry reacted strongly to her gumbo.

He said he could practically feel the flavor exploding in his head. “It’s amazing,” he admitted, “though I don’t know if it quite matches your mom’s, it’s definitely up there.”

Keep reading for more about Harry and Meghan’s approach to parenting below…

He explained to Sky News in 2015 that you can’t rush things like starting a family, and it will happen naturally when the time is right. While he said he’d love to have children, he acknowledged there’s a necessary process to go through, especially after the birth of his niece, Princess Charlotte, prompted the question about his own future family.

Meghan purchased a Cartier French Tank watch years ago as a future gift for her daughter. She remembered splurging on the two-tone watch when the TV show Suits was renewed for a third season, a moment that felt like a big achievement. She had it engraved with ‘To M.M. From M.M.’ and intends to pass it down to her daughter someday, as she told Hello! magazine in 2015.

Prince Harry has often been asked about becoming a father, a topic that, like his parents’ marriage, has followed him throughout his life. He once told People magazine, shortly before meeting Meghan Markle, that he’d had mixed feelings about having children. Sometimes, especially while traveling, he felt ready, while at other times he felt overwhelmed and wasn’t sure he wanted them. He admitted there were moments when the idea of becoming a parent actually put him off.

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement in 2017, they did a joint interview where they talked about having children. Harry said they hoped to start a family soon, and Meghan smiled in agreement.

Meghan described becoming a mother after Archie was born as ‘magic.’ She added that she felt incredibly lucky to have her two wonderful sons.

After Archie was born in May 2019, Prince Harry shared how incredibly happy he and Meghan were. He said becoming a father was the most amazing thing he could have imagined, and he expressed deep admiration for mothers. They were both overjoyed and thankful for all the well wishes and support they received, and wanted to share their joy with everyone.

During a 2019 speech at the National Youth Mentoring Summit, Harry spoke about what becoming a parent had taught him. He emphasized the significant impact of role models, even those who aren’t aware they’re being looked up to. He explained that these individuals inspire others to be better people and achieve more. Harry connected this idea to his own experience as a father, realizing his son is constantly observing and learning from his actions and example.

In 2020, Prince Harry explained that his son is his top priority, followed closely by his work. He and Meghan are committed to doing everything they can to contribute to a better world.

Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Harry and Meghan found a positive side: more quality time with their son, Archie. Meghan explained in October 2020 that without the pandemic, they would have been busy traveling and working, and would have missed out on precious moments watching Archie grow. She described it as a period of valuable family time.

Harry shared that they were present for all of Archie’s milestones – his first steps, when he started running, his first tumbles, and everything in between.

In May 2021, Meghan appeared on TV for a special event called VAX Live, hosted by Global Citizen. During the concert, she talked about being pregnant and how happy she and her husband were to soon have a daughter. She shared, “We’re so excited to welcome a daughter, and that joy is something we share with families all over the world.” She also expressed hope that her daughter would grow up empowered to make a difference, thinking of all the young women and girls who deserve support and opportunity.

She explained that the success of future leaders – and all of us – relies on the choices we make today to build a fair, kind, and thriving future.

Meghan briefly appears in an episode of her husband Prince Harry’s Apple TV+ series, co-created with Oprah Winfrey, called The Me You Can’t See. While on screen, she seems to honor her children by wearing a shirt with the message, “Raising the Future.”

Oh my goodness, they had their baby girl! I was absolutely glued to the Archewell Foundation page, and their announcement was just… everything. They said June 4th brought little Lili into the world, and honestly, I’m tearing up just thinking about it. They said she’s even more amazing than they dreamed, and they’re so thankful for all the love and prayers everyone sent. It just makes my heart swell to know how much support they have, especially during this incredibly special time for their little family. I’m just so happy for them!

Meghan Markle is releasing her first children’s book, The Bench, on June 8, 2021. The book celebrates the bond between fathers and children, told from a mother’s point of view. Meghan shared that the story began as a poem she wrote for her husband on Father’s Day, shortly after their son Archie was born.

In a letter written in October 2021 to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer, Meghan explained why she supported required paid parental leave in the United States. She described feeling both incredibly happy and a little overwhelmed when her daughter was born, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic was still disrupting normal life at hospitals and schools.

Unlike many new parents, we didn’t face the difficult decision of returning to work shortly after our baby was born. We were fortunate enough to be able to stay home with her during those crucial early months, fully focusing on our children and family. This meant we avoided the stressful choices so many parents have to make regarding childcare, work, and healthcare every day.

Meghan explained that no family should ever have to make such difficult choices. No one should be forced to choose between working to support their family and being able to care for a child, a family member, or even themselves – something a comprehensive paid leave program would help prevent.

In April 2022, Harry admitted it was nearly impossible to balance his work-from-home life with being a parent.

He mentioned that Archie interrupts their Zoom calls more than anyone. He also added that Archie joins the calls frequently, which is good.

Harry realized he was already seeing his own playful sense of humor in his son. “I always make an effort to maintain that,” he explained. “I believe a bit of mischievousness is what keeps you feeling young and engaged with life.”

Meghan admitted she was concerned for her—and everybody else’s—kids in the age of social media.

During a talk at the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit in October 2023, she shared that being a mother is the most important part of her life, second only to her role as a wife to Harry. The summit, focused on mental wellness in the digital age, was part of Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day events.

She continued, saying she feels lucky her children are still young, so this issue isn’t something they’re facing right now. However, she’s also worried about how things are changing and knows they’ll eventually have to deal with it.

As a parent, I’m constantly reminded how quickly time flies – it really is true what they say about long days and short years! And honestly, in today’s world, I think we all feel a need for safety and security, especially when it comes to navigating the online world and social media. It impacts everyone, and that desire for a safe experience is universal.

During a visit to Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria in May 2024, Meghan told a class of kindergarteners about her daughter, Lili. She explained that Lili is very small and will soon be three years old. Meghan shared a sweet moment when Lili, looking at her mother, realized she saw her own reflection and said, ‘Mama, I see me in you!’

Meghan explained that the other person was being very direct. However, Meghan interpreted those words personally, thinking, ‘Yes, we understand each other and see ourselves in each other.’

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2025-12-03 16:48