Harry Shares a Sweet Detail About Meghan's Mother — But the Royals May Find It Hard to Watch

For years, since their royal exit in 2020, news reports have painted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as the problem — the ones who walked away from family and spoke too much. But in Markle’s new Netflix holiday special, there is one moment that cuts through all that noise and proves that they remain family first. Harry’s affectionate words for Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, showed the close-knit bond they share, how he has found a family away from home, and hence will likely be a hard watch for the royals across the pond.

Harry appears briefly near the end of the 56-minute With Love Holiday Celebration special as Markle prepares her mother’s Christmas Eve gumbo with chef Tom Colicchio. Drawn in by the smell, he walks into the kitchen smiling. “Hi guys, I smelled gumbo,” he says, before leaning in to kiss Markle. It’s casual. The teasing that follows feels easy and familiar, a very normal affair between couples. Markle reveals that the beetroot salad she’s made contains all the foods Harry avoids: beetroot, black olives, fennel, and pickled vegetables. “Oh wow, that’s like the anti-salad,” he jokes. 

But it’s when the conversation turns to Ragland that it's obvious just how much their lives have changed. “Gumbo for me is one of my favorites, especially her mum’s, but before the fish goes in,” Harry tells Colicchio. After tasting Markle’s version, he adds, “I’m not so sure it’s as good as your mum’s, but it’s certainly close.” Markle turns around in mock shock. “Oh my gosh,” she laughs. “My mom will love you for that. What a good thing to say for your mother-in-law.”

In the same spirit, Harry and Markle, earlier this year, spent Thanksgiving on a pumpkin farm with Ragland and their children, picking their gourds and then carving them together. This may be a simple exchange, but it is a telling one. On the contrary, back in the UK, the royal family’s Christmas tradition at Sandringham continues as a familiar public ritual, the church walks, coordinated arrivals, and managed smiles for the cameras. 

Prince William and Kate Middleton are once again expected to skip King Charles’s annual Christmas lunch. Reports claim the Waleses will avoid the gathering due to 'nonstop disagreements,' marking the second year in a row they’ve missed the event. Last year’s absence was also described as a 'coup.' The couple also spent Easter with the Middletons. Rob Shuter’s ShuterScoop reported that, between ongoing tension and 'icy moments,' William has chosen to spend the day with Middleton’s family instead of the royals. A source said, “William and the family will dutifully go to church with big smiles plastered on, but they’re not expected for lunch at the big house. It’s been an extremely difficult year for William and Catherine.”

As the annual Sandringham gathering has begun to feel more akin to a mandated tradition than a festive family gathering, more about keeping appearances than real togetherness, it is indeed interesting to see that even William prefers his in-laws for the holidays.