Meghan Markle may celebrate Thanksgiving in Britain rather than traveling to the United States for the holiday, DailyMail.com can disclose.
Sources close to the Duchess of Sussex say the 38-year-old royal is considering spending the day helping out at a homeless shelter in London, not far from her home in Windsor.
Meghan and Prince Harry have been widely reported to be planning to spend the holidays in Los Angeles with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, 63.
But sources close to the American royal say the couple are now considering having Doria make the 11-hour journey in the opposite direction – spending Thanksgiving at Frogmore Cottage with the couple and their seven-month-old son Archie.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been widely reported to be planning to spend the holidays in LA with Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, 63. But a source told DailyMailTV, Meghan is considering staying in London for Thanksgiving and volunteering at a homeless shelter
Sources close to the American royal said Meghan and Prince Harry are now considering having Doria (pictured in February) make the 11-hour journey in the opposite direction – spending Thanksgiving at Frogmore Cottage with the couple and seven-month-old Archie
An insider told DailyMail.com: ‘From what I know, they aren’t coming here [to Los Angeles]. Doria is going there for the holiday [Thanksgiving].’
The source added: ‘They won’t be officially celebrating Thanksgiving because it isn’t a British holiday but Meghan is considering spending some of the day helping out at a homeless shelter in London.’
Buckingham Palace has been approached for comment by DailyMail.com.
The consideration of staying in the UK comes after Buckingham Palace confirmed a separate report in The Sun that the couple will not spend Christmas at Sandringham with the Queen so they can ‘recharge their batteries.’
The Palace said: ‘The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time towards the end of this month.
Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham their Royal Highnesses will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland.
‘This decision is in line with precedent set previously by other members of the Royal Family, and has the support of Her Majesty The Queen.’
The UK does not mark Thanksgiving – a U.S. holiday that traces its origins to English colonists.
In 1619, 38 English settlers marked their safe arrival in Virginia with a feast and thanksgiving prayers.
Two years later, the Pilgrim Fathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts also had a celebration and are credited with being the origin of the holiday.
Its current date was set by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help retailers.
This year’s celebrations will be Meghan’s first as a mother, following the arrival of baby Archie Harrison in May.
This year’s celebrations will be Meghan’s first as a mother, following the arrival of baby Archie Harrison in May. he Sussexes had been considering spending this year’s holiday in the Duchess’ native US but are reconsidering their plans, which appear to be linked to their decision to take what has been described as a six-week break from royal duties
The Duchess spent last year’s holiday at her old home in Kensington Palace and reportedly made a traditional Thanksgiving meal for husband Prince Harry, 35, including a turkey.
The Sussexes had been considering spending this year’s holiday in the Duchess’ native US but are reconsidering their plans, which appear to be linked to their decision to take what has been described as a six-week break from royal duties.
Although the couple appeared at the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Cenotaph on Sunday, neither Harry or Meghan are currently scheduled to attend any other events this year.
By contrast, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a packed schedule, including a four-day visit to Kuwait and Oman for William in early December.
Other royals on the move include Sophie, Countess of Wessex, 54, who is due to visit Toronto and New York this week to champion the cause of working women.
After attending the 100WF First Impressions event on Tuesday in New York, the Countess will go on to Toronto where she is scheduled to visit a hospital, among other engagements.
Although Meghan’s mother Doria will be with her for Thanksgiving – whether in the US or the UK – none of the Duchess’ other family members are likely to get an invitation.
Her estranged father Thomas, 73, will spend the holiday at his home in Rosarito, Mexico, while her siblings Thomas Jr, 53, and Samantha, 55, will be at their homes in Oregon and Florida respectively.
Last week, DailyMail.com revealed how her uncle Michael Markle (center), 80, believes he will never see his niece again and is ‘not fond’ of how the family have been treated. Mike Markle is the older brother of Meghan’s dad Thomas, (second from right, back row)
Meghan’s estranged uncle Mike, 80, told DailyMail.com he doesn’t ‘understand’ the way she’s ‘her treated family.’ He suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and frail heart
Last week, DailyMail.com revealed how her uncle Michael ‘Mike’ Markle, 80, believes he will never see his niece again and is ‘not fond’ of how the family have been treated.
He said: ‘I doubt I’ll hear from her again, even though I would like to. I don’t understand her, the way she’s treated her family. I’m not very fond of it.’
Michael, a retired diplomat, also complained that he has been ignored – despite having helped his niece get an internship at the US Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He said: ‘I’ve done more for her than others… I’ve probably done more for her than anyone. I personally talked to the ambassador in Argentina for her.
‘I thought I would get an invitation [to the 2018 Royal Wedding] but I didn’t hear from her.’
Meghan’s siblings and father have also begged her to get in touch but to no avail so far.
Last Christmas, half-brother Thomas Jr even sent a card begging her to make peace with her family for the sake of her father.
He told DailyMail.com at the time: ‘I made a point to reach out to Meghan again with a personalized Christmas card to her saying we should all put our differences aside and remember the family we had before.’