ACROSS THE POND

Christmas may look different in California, but Prince Harry and Meghan have held on to one royal tradition

- JACKIE BROWN

Since relocating to California, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have developed their own holiday traditions with their children, marking a break with the more formal celebrations of the rest of the Royal Family.

Christmas in Montecito, Calif., is spent at their sprawling mansion alongside Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, joining in on the fun. It's a quiet, relaxed affair designed to offer their kids the simple pleasures of the season. In an interview last year, Meghan described their Christmas Day as “including a great meal,” followed by games and fun – “just like any other family.”

The duchess has spoken warmly about the joy of building new traditions as her children get older. “I love the holidays,” she said. “Every year, it gets better. At first, as a mom with children, you're just enjoying having them there, but they're not understanding everything that's happening. Now, they're at the age when I can't wait to see it through their lens every year.”

WITH LOVE, SANTA