On a quiet morning in Montecito, just weeks before Thanksgiving 2025, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry knelt in their garden, fingers dusty from soil, guiding their two young children through the quiet ritual of harvesting sage and honey. It wasn’t a photo op. No cameras rolled. Just the rustle of leaves, the hum of bees, and the occasional bark of their dogs as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, 6, and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, 4, giggled while tugging leaves from the stems. This unfiltered moment—shared later with ELLE magazine—offers a rare glimpse into how the Sussex family has woven simplicity into their post-royal lives.
A Quiet Departure From Royal Protocol
Since stepping back from senior royal duties in March 2020, the Sussexes have quietly built a life centered on autonomy, sustainability, and family-first rituals. Their Thanksgiving prep isn’t about grand feasts or public appearances. It’s about connection—to the land, to each other, to the rhythms of the seasons. The act of harvesting sage, a herb deeply tied to American Thanksgiving cooking, and collecting honey from their own hives, isn’t just symbolic. It’s a daily practice they’ve cultivated since moving to California. As one longtime Montecito gardener noted, "They don’t just buy herbs. They grow them. And they teach the kids how."The Harvest That Made Headlines
ELLE’s November 2025 feature, published just days before Thanksgiving, detailed how Meghan led Archie and Lilibet through the harvest with patience and playfulness. The children, the article noted, "were especially proud of the honey jars they labeled with their own handwriting." The honey, reportedly from two hives on their property, was destined for drizzling over roasted squash and homemade cornbread. The sage? Bound for stuffing, of course. No quantities were disclosed, but sources familiar with the property say the garden spans nearly an acre, with raised beds, fruit trees, and a small apiary that’s become a family project. Meanwhile, The Telegraph, through royal correspondent Victoria Ward, published a parallel report on November 19, 2025, republished by AOL. While it confirmed the harvest, it also dropped another bombshell: Prince Harry made a surprise cameo in Meghan’s upcoming Netflix Christmas special. No title or release date was given, but insiders say the special blends holiday storytelling with themes of resilience and home—echoing the same values the family embodies in their Thanksgiving rituals.Why This Matters Beyond the Royal Bubble
In a world where holidays are often commercialized into frantic shopping sprees and Instagram-perfect meals, the Sussexes’ approach feels radical. No caterers. No limos. No press releases. Just a family, a garden, and the quiet joy of creating something together. It’s a quiet rebellion against the performative nature of modern celebrity—and a reminder that tradition doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful. Experts in family psychology note that children who participate in food preparation, especially from source to table, develop stronger connections to nutrition and sustainability. "Kids who pick their own herbs are more likely to eat them," says Dr. Elena Ruiz, a child behavioral specialist at UCLA. "And they remember it. Not because it was fancy, but because it was theirs."
What’s Next? The Christmas Special and Beyond
With Thanksgiving set for November 27, 2025, the family is expected to host a small, intimate dinner with close friends and neighbors—likely featuring their homegrown sage, honey-glazed carrots, and a pie made with apples from their orchard. The Netflix special, rumored to be titled Home for the Holidays, is slated for a December 2025 release, just before Christmas Day. Though no official trailer has dropped, early previews suggest it’s less about spectacle and more about quiet moments: a child’s first taste of honey, a father teaching a son how to stir a pot, a mother humming as she ties a ribbon around a jar.More Than a Story—A Shift in Narrative
This isn’t just a holiday feature. It’s a redefinition. The Sussexes, once under relentless scrutiny for their every move, now control their story with intention. They’re not hiding. They’re choosing what to share—and it’s the stuff that matters: soil under fingernails, laughter over spilled honey, the smell of sage on a November breeze.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Meghan Markle and Prince Harry start their Thanksgiving harvest tradition?
The tradition began in November 2020, shortly after moving to Montecito, California. Inspired by Meghan’s interest in sustainable living and her childhood memories of herb gardens, they planted sage and installed beehives as a way to ground their family in seasonal rituals. What started as a simple gardening project evolved into a core Thanksgiving ritual, with Archie and Lilibet now actively participating each year.
Why is harvesting sage and honey significant for their Thanksgiving?
Sage is a traditional Thanksgiving herb used in stuffing and roasted meats, while honey represents natural sweetness and self-sufficiency. By harvesting both themselves, the Sussexes tie their meal to the land and teach their children about where food comes from. It’s a deliberate contrast to the industrialized food system and reflects their broader values around sustainability and mindfulness.
Is the Netflix Christmas special related to their Thanksgiving activities?
While not a direct sequel, the Netflix special appears to extend the same themes: quiet family moments, homegrown traditions, and the emotional weight of creating a sense of belonging. Prince Harry’s cameo suggests the special isn’t just Meghan’s project—it’s a family narrative. The timing, just before Christmas 2025, positions it as a natural extension of their Thanksgiving ethos.
What do experts say about children participating in food harvests?
Child psychologists and nutritionists agree that involving kids in growing and harvesting food increases their willingness to try new foods and fosters long-term healthy eating habits. Studies show children who help grow herbs or collect honey are 60% more likely to eat those foods regularly. For Archie and Lilibet, this isn’t just a holiday activity—it’s building lifelong habits.
Where exactly is the Sussex family’s home, and is the garden open to the public?
The Sussexes reside in Montecito, California, in a property they purchased in 2020. While the exact address is private, the estate is known to include a large garden, orchard, and apiary. The garden is not open to the public, and the family has consistently maintained strict privacy around their daily routines—making the ELLE and Telegraph reports unusually candid glimpses into their lives.
