Prince Harry & Meghan Markle Spending Christmas In California With Baby Archie

Prince Harry Meghan Markle Christmas California — Image Credit: AP

Free for Editorial Use Only. See terms of release, which must be included and passed-on to anyone to whom this image is suppliedMandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (9687843c)This official wedding photograph released by the Duke and Meghan Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, shows - the Duke and Duchess pictured together on the East Terrace of Windsor Castle.The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Official Portraits, Windsor, Berkshire, UK - 19 May 2018News Editorial Use Only. No Commercial Use. No Merchandising, Advertising, Souvenirs, Memorabilia Or Colourably Similar. Not for Use After 31 December 2018 Without Prior Permission From Kensington Palace. No Cropping. Copyright in the photograph is vested in The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Publications are asked to credit the photograph to Alexi Lubomirski. No charge should be made for the supply, release or publication of the photograph. The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form and must include all of the individuals in the photograph when published. — Image Credit: AP

Prince Harry, 36, and Meghan Markle, 39, are embracing the Christmas spirit this year as they prepare to celebrate the special holiday in their new Montecito mansion for the first time. The couple are playing it safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and won’t be flying back to Harry’s native England — but they’re still going to enjoy lots of holiday traditions.

“Meghan and Harry are really looking forward to their first Christmas in their new home.” a source close to the couple tells HollywoodLife EXCLUSIVELY. “It’s a big change for Harry because he’s used to a cold Christmas. But, apparently, he’s quite looking forward to making new traditions.”

The couple, who stepped down as senior royals in early 2020, will celebrate Stateside for the first time and our source says they will do video chats with Harry’s family and friends overseas to stay connected. “If things were different, they would have travelled back to the U.K. to spend time with his family and friends, but it’s just not in the cards this year so they’re going to make do with video chats, just like lots of other families will.”

Fortunately they will have Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, 64, with them — and of course their pride and joy Archie, 1. “One silver lining is that they can both totally relax and focus on enjoying Christmas with Archie,” adds the source. “He’s very tuned in now, very aware, so they will really get to see him enjoy Christmas this year. And Meghan’s mom will be with them, she’s in their bubble and having her around is a Godsend.”

Earlier this month the happy couple was reportedly shopping for their Christmas tree near their California home and their outing turned into a hilarious moment of mistaken identity. While they were choosing a tree, the child of a fellow shopper ran up to Harry in search of some assistance.

Tree salesman James Almaguer tweeted, “Meghan and Prince Harry came into my work today and we sold them their Christmas Tree. It was anticlimactic, but a very, very interesting experience.”

He claimed in an interview with the Daily Mail that the royals tried to come when the lot was empty, but another family was still inside. “We had our lot empty when they got there — their agent promoted them a good time to come instead of us shutting it down. There was one family in there and their stoked little son ran through trees up to Harry and asked if he worked here not knowing who that is,” he continued. “They seem like very nice people honestly,” he said. “Meghan sounds very kind and Harry sounded and acted like a chill lad honestly. I’m really glad they liked our trees. We got the best we could get. Very appreciative.”

Meghan and Harry were reportedly at Big Wave Dave’s Christmas Trees & Pumpkin Patch, which was set up in tents in a Macy’s parking lot, about eight miles from their $14.7 million mansion. Unfortunately no one snapped any pics, but there’s a chance fans will get to see their tree — if they share a picture of Archie in front of it like they did last year.