Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘to host A-list stars’ at home in royal Christmas snub
MEGHAN MARKLE and Prince Harry are reportedly planning a "scaled back" Christmas due to coronavirus restrictions, with A-list celebrities David Foster and Katharine McPhee said to be invited to the Sussex royals Los Angeles home.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be returning to the UK for Christmas with the Royal Family due to the ongoing pandemic. However, the couple will invite the celebrity couple over to their multi-million-dollar home for the holidays a source has told Marie Claire. It comes as the UK-based royals adjust their holiday plans due to the UK’s coronavirus restrictions, with an annual meet up at Sandringham Estate ruled out by Buckingham Palace.
Sources close to the Sussex royals said to MarieClaire Mr Foster and Ms McPhee will be invited to their Montecito home.
Ms McPhee, an actress, and Meghan were friends at school, and Grammy award winning producer Mr Foster is said to be a “father figure” to Harry.
The source added: "They've also invited David and Katharine to spend it with them.
“David had mentioned Harry and Meghan going to theirs but Meghan wants it at home.”
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Meghan and Harry are also said to be excited about their first Christmas in their new LA home.
The source also said to MarieClaire: "Meghan very much wants to host the first Christmas at their new home with her mum.
"She's really excited and is planning on doing all the traditions she grew up with as a child, including the cooking.”
Meghan and Harry and are also “excited to decorate for Christmas”, according to the report.
Meghan previously spoke to Grazia before the pandemic about how she likes to prepare her home for guests during the Christmas season.
One of her tips saw the Duchess recommend spending some of the holidays with friends instead of family, with each guest bringing their own dish.
She said: “Have each of your friends bring a dish or cook together in the kitchen.
“If you do not have a proper set-up, use your dining room table or kitchen counter as a buffet.”
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In August, the Daily Mirror reported Harry would celebrate his 36th birthday with Mr Foster.
A source told the outlet: “David wants to make it special for Harry but also keep it casual and low-key with some fine wine, great food and intimate company.”
Ms McPhee also spoke out about her husband and Harry’s relationship this year, telling Access Hollywood how close the pair had become.
She said: “My husband has a really, really beautiful relationship with Harry.
“They're so cute. They're like father and son.”
It comes after the Royal Family have scaled back their Christmas plans due to the UK’s coronavirus restrictions, with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip also having a quiet holiday.
For the first time in 33 years, the Queen and Philip will skip the annual retreat to Sandringham Estate in favour of staying put at Windsor Castle.
In a statement earlier this month, Buckingham Palace said: “Having considered all the appropriate advice, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh have decided that this year they will spend Christmas quietly in Windsor.”
The UK’s guidelines also hold only three households may mix indoors from December 23 to December 27, making a traditional royal Christmas impossible.