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Meghan Markle demonstrates a beloved British Christmas tradition in her new Netflix holiday specialIn the hour-long episode, streaming now, Meghan makes her own Christmas crackers, a paper toy that snaps when pulled at both ends, revealing a sweet treat or prizeThe royal family has long included crackers as part of their holiday festivities, with Meghan saying it feels ‘really connected and sweet’
Meghan Markle is keeping at least one British Christmas tradition alive for her family.
The Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, dropped on Wednesday, Dec. 3. In the festive hour-long episode, Meghan shares some of her favorite tips and tricks for entertaining and celebrating over the holidays with a host of famous friends.
During one segment, Meghan, 44, is joined by restaurateur Will Guidara, who co-founded the NoMad chain of restaurants. The pair sits down in the craft room of Meghan’s rented Montecito, Calif. home where she films her series, to make Christmas crackers, a beloved British tradition.
Crackers consist of a cardboard tube covered in festive wrapping, tied off at both ends. When the ends are pulled, a friction-reactive strip of paper within the cracker “snaps,” creating a loud sound as it splits in two, revealing a sweet treat or message, and, traditionally, a paper crown for the winner to wear.
“Living in the U.K., it’s just such a big part of [ the culture over there],” Meghan shares with Guidara. “Typically, people cross their arms and do it. They sit around the table, and they all pull at the same time…It does feel really connected and sweet. The way that I started to know them was that they would always have a fortune cookie-sized joke or riddle and something sweet [inside].”
Meghan Markle and Will Guidara pull Christmas crackers in ‘With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration’.
Netflix/YouTube
Meghan experienced two royal family Christmases at Sandringham — in 2017, after her engagement to Harry, and again in 2018, during the early years of their marriage. They spent the 2019 holidays in Canada, shortly before the couple stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
The royal family has long embraced Christmas crackers as part of their holiday traditions. British manufacturer Tom Smith boasts of being the inventor of the novelties in 1847, and, since 1906, has held a royal warrant to supply Christmas crackers and wrapping paper to the royal family. (The late Queen Elizabeth reportedly loved to read the corny jokes found inside aloud at the royal family’s Christmas lunch at Sandringham.)
On their website, the brand states, “Tom Smith still proudly hold the honour of producing special crackers each year for the Royal Household, although designs and contents are a closely guarded secret.”
Queen Elizabeth is shown how Christmas crackers are made during a visit to International Greetings UK Ltd in Ystrad Mynach, Wales, in April 2014.
Ben Birchall/WPA Pool/Getty
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For her homemade crackers, Meghan added a personal touch for each member of her family. Harry’s has “a little love letter, a chocolate and little hat,” while the cracker for Prince Archie, 6, centers on two of his favorite things: hamburgers and the color red.
As for Princess Lilibet, 4, her mother indulges one of her current interests. “Lili really likes trying to be a grown-up lady at the moment, so this is like a lavender roller ball,” Meghan says in the special.
Meghan and Guidara even try their hands at a test cracker, which Guidara “wins,” pulling the larger half of the tube that includes the confetti and prizes.
Meghan Markle and Will Guidara make Christmas crackers in ‘With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration’.
Jake Rosenberg/Netflix
With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration also features appearances from tennis champion Naomi Osaka, chef and Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio, Meghan’s close friend Kelly McKee Zajfen and her longtime friend and author-producer Lindsay Roth.
“I love the holiday season,” the Duchess of Sussex says in the trailer, which she first shared last month. “It’s about finding time to connect with the people we love, embracing traditions and making new ones.”
Meghan Markle in ‘With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration’.
Jake Rosenberg/Netflix
In the special, she visits a Christmas tree farm, prepares Christmas goodies for visiting friends, and shows off some of her DIY gift-wrapping techniques. Prince Harry makes a brief cameo, sharing a sweet kiss with his wife towards the end of the special as he helps himself to some of the treats in their kitchen.
The special coincides with the release of the first holiday collection from Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As ever. The new launch includes sparkling wines, hand-poured candles, artisanal fruit spreads and golden California honey — several of which appear in the Holiday Celebration trailer as part of her hosting spread.
With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration is streaming now on Netflix.