The Duchess of Sussex shared that this simple routine is “at the top of my list” when it comes to happiness.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(742x107:744x109):format(webp)/meghan-markle-archie-lilibet-031025-18c414caa9914b5da49525d814927996.jpg "Meghan Markle Shares the U.K. Tradition She Keeps Alive with Harry and Their Kids — A Sweet Gesture or Royal Nostalgia? 2")
(Left) Prince Archie and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a video she posted on Instagram on March 6, 2025; (Right) Princess Lilibet in the same video shared to Instagram on March 6, 2025. Photo: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex/Instagram (2)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are raising their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, in California. However, the Duchess of Sussex reveals there’s a charming British tradition they’ve woven into their home life.
Meghan, 43, opened up about the ritual in a recent Substack interview with Godmothers, the bookstore close to their Montecito home, which was named after Harry. The Summerland shop was co-founded by Meghan’s friends—literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and makeup mogul Victoria Jackson, who also happen to be her mahjong partners! They both feature in Meghan’s new Netflix series With Love, Meghan. During the Substack conversation, Meghan discussed the British tradition in more detail.
When asked about her “pet joys” (small pleasures) that bring a smile to her face, the Duchess of Sussex mentioned cashmere socks, the thrill of bargain hunting, and “duvet days” from the U.K. as her favorites.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(745x401:747x403):format(webp)/meghan-markle-Holiday-Card-022625-tout-b4dde28ab33f4db29a5668d8811a7ec7.jpg "Meghan Markle Shares the U.K. Tradition She Keeps Alive with Harry and Their Kids — A Sweet Gesture or Royal Nostalgia? 3")
(Left) Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at a wheelchair basketball game during the Invictus Games in Vancouver Whistler on Feb. 9, 2025; (Right) Prince Harry, Meghan, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet in their 2024 holiday card. Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty; Archewell
“Cashmere socks are such a treat I enjoy — but I also adore the cashmere-like socks I find online that are simple to clean and incredibly affordable. There’s just something about cozy, snuggled-up feet that gives me a sense of comfort,” Meghan shared in the article published on March 7. “I’m also a fan of scoring a good bargain,” she continued, reminiscing about “cutting out coupons from the Sunday newspaper” with her mom, Doria Ragland, during her childhood.
“Saturday morning cartoons in bed are also at the top of my list,” she shared. “In the U.K., they call it a ‘duvet day,’ and I’ve always thought that was lovely. Our little family, all cozy for a relaxed morning, followed by pancakes and bacon. It’s the dream.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/Prince-Harry-Lilibet-Archie-Meghan-Markle-Embed-719c27ce55b541a09cd6f9ca28947f99.jpg "Meghan Markle Shares the U.K. Tradition She Keeps Alive with Harry and Their Kids — A Sweet Gesture or Royal Nostalgia? 4")
A photo of Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Meghan, and Prince Archie from the docuseries Harry & Meghan on Netflix. Netflix/YouTube
Meghan Markle Opens Up About Her ‘Nightcap Recaps’ Tradition with Prince Harry While Preparing Lunch Boxes
Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan became parents when their son, Prince Archie, now 5, was born in the U.K. in 2019. The couple moved to Meghan’s home state of California in 2020 after stepping down from their royal duties. Their daughter, Princess Lilibet, now 3, was born in the U.S. in 2021.
In this week’s exclusive cover story with PEOPLE, the Duchess of Sussex shares that bacon is a household favorite.
“I’m usually up before my kids, around 6:30, then I wake them up and get them dressed for the day before heading downstairs. I really enjoy making breakfast for my family,” Meghan explains about her morning routine.
“My husband and Archie are both huge fans of fried eggs. We go through a lot of bacon here. But sometimes, there’s just no time for all of that, so I’ll pop a frozen waffle in the toaster and call it good,” she adds. “And there’s no guilt in that, either.”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2):format(webp)/meghan-markle-cover-022825-6-37fa233de3144c88a018c0bc6a41eefb.jpg "Meghan Markle Shares the U.K. Tradition She Keeps Alive with Harry and Their Kids — A Sweet Gesture or Royal Nostalgia? 5")
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was photographed in Montecito, California, in March 2024.
The Duchess of Sussex opened up about rediscovering herself beyond motherhood, the challenges of building a business, and how she and Harry manage to balance love, family, and new beginnings as she launches her new series With Love, Meghan and her lifestyle brand As Ever.
During her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show around the March 4 premiere of With Love, Meghan, she also shared that Archie and Lilibet “still say” some words with a British accent!
“What’s your favorite thing that you see in your kids that makes you think, ‘Oh, that’s their dad’?” host Drew Barrymore asked during the “Fast Five” segment on set.
“Oh, some of the words they still say with a British accent,” Meghan said, grinning. “Like when they say ‘Zebra,’ and what else do they say? They have these little moments when it slips out. They have very American accents, but certain words come out just like him, and I find it so cute. Zebra is a perfect example.”
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Talking to PEOPLE about her new endeavors, the Duchess of Sussex shared that this new chapter has brought her back into a “honeymoon phase” with Prince Harry.
“My husband met me when I had The Tig, and I see this spark in his eye when he sees me doing the same thing I was doing when we first met,” she says, referring to her original lifestyle blog that she ran while they were dating.
“It’s almost like we’re in a honeymoon period again because it feels just like the beginning, when he’d watch me scribbling away, writing newsletters, fine-tuning edits, and really focusing on the details. I think he enjoys watching it as much as I love being in the creative process. It’s been a lot of fun. This is who I’ve always been.”