Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are “creating their own traditions” as they celebrate their first Christmas since they left the royal family, it was reported.
In January of this year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the bombastic announcement that they were getting rid of royalty.
Two months later, they left the UK with their 17-month-old son Archie and moved to a friend’s property in Los Angeles, where Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, lived.
In August, they bought a £ 11 million luxury apartment in Santa Barbara, California, where they are enjoying Christmas this year – possibly with Doria.
Last year, the couple was in Canada as part of a “six-week” break, so this is the second time they have spent Christmas away from Harry’s grandmother, the queen, brother Prince William and father Prince Charles.
(Image: WireImage)
A source told PEOPLE that the couple loves Christmas and is decorating with Archie.
They added: “They are creating their own traditions in their new home.
“It’s Harry’s second Christmas away from England and Meghan wants to make sure that it will be special for everyone.”
While the couple were preparing for Christmas, they were able to visit a store while it was empty to buy a fir tree for their mansion.
(Image: SIPA USA / PA images)
(Image: Getty Images)
But a family was still inside and an excited child ran through the trees to Harry and “asked if he worked here,” said salesman James Almaguer.
He went on to describe Harry, 36, as a “quiet boy” and Megan, 39, as “very kind”.
Posting on Twitter, James wrote: “Megan and Prince Harry joined my work today and we sold them their Christmas tree.
“It was anticlimactic, but a very, very interesting experience.
(Image: The Mayhew)
“We had our parking lot empty when they arrived – their agent gave them a good time to come, instead of closing everything.
“There was a family there and his little son ran through the trees to Harry and asked if he worked here without knowing who he was.
“They look like really nice people, honestly. Meghan sounds very kind and Harry looked and acted like a cold boy, honestly. I’m really happy that they liked our trees.
The store is understood to be Christmas Trees and Big Wave Dave’s Pumpkin Patch, which consists of two canvas tents in the parking lot of the Macy’s department store in the northern Santa Barbara state area.
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On Wednesday, Harry and Meghan shared their 2020 Christmas card, offering a rare glimpse of their son Archie and his two dogs.
The artistic card was launched in partnership with the animal welfare charity Mayhew, of which Meghan is a patron.
The digitally painted Christmas card features an artistic drawing of the royal couple, with son Archie and his two dogs playing outside.
Harry is sitting at the door of a shed with Archie – now a year old – on his lap while Meghan looks over and extends a hand to her young son.
The trio is smiling and laughing at the moving scene.
Archie, who has not been seen in public since he was a baby, appears to have his father’s red hair.
A source previously told PEOPLE: “They are very happy.”