The unusual gift that made Meghan fall in love with Elizabeth II on their first Christmas together

Two months have passed since the death of Queen Elizabeth II. September 8 became one of the most painful days for the British royal family as they had to sack the long-lived monarch. During the following days, several tributes were made in his honor. Finally, on the 19th of that same month, ten days after he breathed his last at Balmoral Castle -one of his most special residences-, the state funeral took place in the Westminster Abbey.

Both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who has lived in the United States for more than two years, especially in the exclusive Montecito neighborhood of Los Angeles, attended this special and final farewell. In this way they are no longer active members of the Crown, although on certain occasions they are invited to some of the events that are held. After a few frantic weeks after Elizabeth II’s death, a detail about the good relationship between the monarch and the Duchess has come to light, and it has to do with the dates approaching and just around the corner: Christmas.

When it comes to gifts and traditions, the British Royal Family is known for its strange customs, such as forbidding play monopoly because it’s too much “mean”. Another of these consists of buying each other joke gifts at Christmas among other things. For royals spending their first Christmas in Sandringham, the pressure to buy gifts for the family must be immense. That wasn’t a problem for Meghan Markle, though, as the gift she bought for the late Queen was very well received.

Royal expert Robert Jobson said: The Express in 2021 that: “On Christmas Eve, when the entire clan is gathered, the Queen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren put the finishing touches to the six-foot Christmas tree in the White Parlor.” tea, as the royal family still maintains the German practice of opening their presents on Christmas Eve. The gifts are placed in the Red Room on a trestle table covered in white linen, with cards showing exactly where the piles of gifts should be placed.” “Once everyone has arrived, the royal guests enjoy a traditional Christmas with the finishing touches Christmas tree and giving cheap and funny gifts,” he continued, revealing details about what goes on behind the scenes at their most natural side.

Meghan Markle’s first Christmas with the Royal Family was a huge success thanks to the gift she bought for Elizabeth II. Meghan reportedly chose to gift the late Queen a singing toy hamster, and the Queen was so impressed that she said, “It can keep my dogs company.” A source explains: “Meghan bought a little singing hamster on a string for Her Majesty. It was a lot of fun, especially when the corgis tried to grab the toy.” However, the Queen couldn’t enjoy her song for long, as her beloved corgis eventually tore it apart before the festive celebrations were over.

This fun tradition was started by the late Queen’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. Since then, the royal family meets every year and also participates in various events such as attending a religious service, watching the monarch’s speech and enjoying a roast dinner. In this way, the royals follow the traditional German custom of opening presents on Christmas Eve.