7 Shocking Takeaways From Meghan Markle's Christmas Special And Her Low-Key 2025 Holiday Plans

As December 2025 draws to a close, global interest in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s holiday activities and media projects remains at an all-time high. The persistent search for a "Meghan Markle Christmas Special" largely points back to her highly-discussed Netflix venture, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, a December edition of her primary lifestyle series that premiered to a firestorm of both praise and sharp criticism. This special, which delves into the Duchess of Sussex's personal holiday traditions, recipes, and home life in Montecito, offers the most current insight into her life as a media executive and mother.

This year, the focus shifts away from a new, confirmed 2025 special and toward the fallout from her previous holiday content, alongside the couple's confirmed low-key Christmas plans and their expanding Archewell Productions slate. From sentimental new traditions for Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to the launch of her full-fledged lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, the Duchess is solidifying her brand as a media powerhouse, even as critics scrutinize her every move in the festive spotlight.

The Duchess of Sussex: A Complete Biographical Snapshot

Meghan Markle, now formally known as Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has had a career marked by significant shifts, moving from Hollywood actress to senior working royal, and finally to a globally recognized media executive and philanthropist. Here is a detailed look at her profile and key life events:

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• Full Name: Rachel Meghan Markle
• Title: Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Dumbarton, Baroness Kilkeel
• Date of Birth: August 4, 1981
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Thomas Markle Sr. (Father), Doria Ragland (Mother)
• Education: Northwestern University (Theater and International Relations)
• First Career: Actress, most famous for her role as Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits (2011–2018).
• First Marriage: Trevor Engelson (2011–2013)
• Marriage to Prince Harry: May 19, 2018, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
• Children: Prince Archie of Sussex (born 2019), Princess Lilibet "Lili" Diana of Sussex (born 2021)
• Royal Departure: Stepped back as senior working members of the Royal Family in January 2020 (known as "Megxit").
• Current Residence: Montecito, Santa Barbara, California.
• Current Ventures: Co-founder of Archewell Inc. (Archewell Foundation, Archewell Audio, Archewell Productions).
• Key Media Projects: Harry & Meghan (Netflix docuseries), With Love, Meghan (Netflix lifestyle series), The Wedding Date (Netflix production).

Inside the Controversial 'With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration' Special

The quest for a "Meghan Markle Christmas special" was satisfied with the release of With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, an hour-long episode that served as a festive deep-dive into the Duchess's Californian holiday preparations. The special was a key part of her multi-year deal with Netflix and a precursor to her full 2025 lifestyle series, With Love, Meghan.

Key Segments and Sentimental Revelations

The special was meticulously crafted to showcase Meghan's personal, down-to-earth side, focusing heavily on themes of connection, tradition, and homemade charm.

• The Tree Decorating Ritual: The special opened with Meghan "literally skipping through a Christmas tree farm" before meticulously decorating her own tree, a task she described as a personal passion.
• Christmas Crafts and Recipes: Viewers were treated to segments on making festive crafts and preparing holiday recipes, emphasizing a cozy, intimate celebration style.
• New Family Traditions: The Duchess of Sussex shared details about establishing new Christmas traditions for her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, a significant shift from the formality of royal life at Sandringham.
• The Sentiment of Giving: A key focus was on the sentimental meaning behind gifts rather than their cost, a topic that resonated with many but also fueled later criticism.

The 'Holiday Hypocrite' Critique and Public Reaction

Despite its warm, festive veneer, the special garnered a polarized reaction. While fans appreciated the glimpse into her Montecito life, many critics were less kind, with some outlets dubbing the show a "bombing critically" and the Duchess a "holiday hypocrite."

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• The Extravagance vs. Message: Critics pointed to the lavish setting and production quality, suggesting it clashed with the message of simplicity and connection. One review suggested the special managed to ignore the reality of her own widely-reported family estrangement while preaching about connection.
• 'Cringey Puns' and Authenticity: Reviewers noted the highly-produced nature of the show, with some finding the Duchess's delivery and use of "cringey puns" to be inauthentic.
• The Royal Comparison: The special was inevitably compared to the traditional, centuries-old Christmas celebrations of the Royal Family, highlighting the cultural and tonal differences in her new American-style media career.

Meghan Markle's New Christmas Traditions for Archie and Lilibet

For the 2025 holiday season, the focus for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is firmly on establishing a sense of normalcy and creating cherished, personal memories for their children in California.

The couple has made a conscious effort to move away from the rigid royal protocols of the past, opting instead for a "lowkey Christmas" at their Montecito home. The Duchess has initiated a sweet, sentimental tradition for Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, involving personalized, thoughtful elements that are distinct from the British Royal Family's formal Sandringham Christmas. This includes focusing on the experience of the holiday rather than the spectacle, a theme she heavily promoted in her holiday special.

Furthermore, reports suggest that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning a private trip outside of the United States to ring in the New Year, aiming to conclude 2025 with a luxury holiday with friends, ensuring a complete break from their busy schedule.

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What’s Next? Meghan’s 2025 Netflix Slate and Archewell Focus

The "Christmas special" was merely a festive teaser for Meghan's broader media ambitions. Her 2025 has been defined by the launch and expansion of her lifestyle brand, firmly rooted in her multi-year deal with the streaming giant, Netflix.

The 'With Love, Meghan' Lifestyle Series

The main series, With Love, Meghan, officially premiered in March 2025, marking her triumphant return to the small screen as a host and executive producer. The show is designed to be a comprehensive lifestyle program, covering everything from cooking and entertaining to gardening and fashion, effectively positioning the Duchess as a modern-day Martha Stewart. This series is the primary vehicle for her current media efforts and is expected to be a recurring source of content, potentially yielding future holiday-themed episodes.

Archewell Productions' Expanding Portfolio

Beyond her personal lifestyle show, the Archewell Productions banner, co-founded with Prince Harry, is actively developing a diverse slate of projects. The most recent announcement confirmed that the couple will executive produce a Netflix adaptation of the popular romance novel, The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory. This move highlights their commitment to producing scripted content and expanding their influence beyond documentaries and personal reality programming.

The Archewell Foundation Initiatives

Amidst their media ventures, the Archewell Foundation continues to be a central focus. In 2025, the Foundation expanded its Parents' Network initiative, collaborating with various organizations to protect families online and support mental wellness. While no specific "Christmas initiative" was explicitly announced, the Foundation’s year-round focus on community and global change remains the charitable core of the Sussexes' work, reflecting the "Show Up, Do Good" motto.

In conclusion, while a brand new, separate "Meghan Markle Christmas Special" for the end of 2025 has not been announced, the legacy of With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration and the Duchess’s confirmed new family traditions and expanding media empire offer a wealth of fresh, current, and unique information. Meghan Markle is not just celebrating the holidays; she is strategically building a powerful, global media brand that integrates her personal life, her philanthropic mission, and her commitment to a Californian lifestyle.