By Jack RoystonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberMeghan Markle told viewers of her Netflix lifestyle show how to make Christmas crackers, a popular festive tradition in the U.K., though Brits may be surprised by one of her tips.
The Duchess of Sussex created her own crackers to pull with her family on Christmas Day during filming of With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, her lifestyle show's holiday special, selecting gifts and jokes to place inside rolled cardboard covered in festive paper.
However, Prince Harry's fellow countrymen may be surprised at her decision to personalize each cracker, including gifts intended for one particular recipient.
...And that's because the presents are normally won by whoever is left holding the middle section of the cracker after it is pulled, and therefore it is not possible to know who will get them prior to the pulling.Christmas crackers are festive table decorations that make a snapping sound when pulled open, and typically contain a small gift, paper hat and a cheesy joke. Brits normally buy them and it is not customary to make them at home.
Meghan's segment on her Netflix show is only a suggestion for viewers and it therefore, in a sense, does not matter if she takes a U.K. tradition and does it differently, though some may find the outcome confusing if they tailor their crackers to a specific person who then does not win the presents.
Meghan Markle's Homemade Christmas Crackers
"I love Christmas crackers," Meghan said. "The toy not the kind you eat. And I thought [about] filling them with things rather than just random tchotchkes. Think about who's getting them. What do you want to put inside? Even a sweet little love letter, a little note tucked in."
Meghan invited her guest, the restaurateur Will Guidara to make the crackers with her. He asked her "have you been doing them a long time," and Meghan replied: "Living in the U.K., it's just such a big part of..."
..."Is it a big part of the culture there?" Guidara said. Meghan replied: "For Christmas holidays for sure. Typically people cross arms and do it. So you're round the table and they all pull at the same time...It actually does feel really connective and sweet."
"They would always have almost a fortune cookie-sized joke or riddle and something sweet," she added, despite the fact that Christmas crackers invariably contain a small gift rather than anything to eat.
The one she made for Harry included a love letter, a chocolate and a hat while Archie got a toy burger. She also packed confetti into them, which is another diversion from the norm.
With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration
The holiday special also sees Meghan make her own advent calendars for her children in which she puts hand written notes telling Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet why she loves them.
Meghan has not as yet been given the thumbs up for a third season of the lifestyle show, so if the green light does not arrive from Netflix then this could be its last outing.
It is partnered with her online shop As Ever, where she sells produce and wine. Netflix is an equity partner in As Ever, meaning it invested in the business but also keeps a cut of profits.
Do you have a question about King Charles III and Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you.
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