Meghan Markle is eagerly anticipating Thanksgiving with her family and friends, hoping to enjoy the holiday “without distractions” after a challenging few months.

Meghan and Prince Harry have been focused on their individual projects recently, with the Duchess working on her Netflix cooking series and preparing for the launch of her upcoming lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.

A source revealed that the couple will be celebrating Thanksgiving with close friends, who are like family to them. “Meghan loves cooking and being in the kitchen, hosting, and entertaining,” the source shared. “Now that the kids are old enough, she can include them and teach them about the American Thanksgiving traditions she grew up with, and she loves teaching Harry as well.”

The Duchess is also focused on the deeper meaning of the holiday, emphasizing gratitude for the blessings in their lives, and ensuring the kids understand its significance. “They’ll enjoy the long weekend and the time spent together, without any distractions.”

Regarding Meghan’s recent workload, the source noted, “The past few months have been busy and stressful. Meghan is in a phase of figuring out what’s next, with a lot of rethinking and reshuffling of her projects. Things are constantly changing, and she wants to make sure everything is done to her exact standards. She’s a perfectionist.”

Looking ahead to the holiday season, the source added, “The pace should slow down, and they’re excited to just enjoy being together. They’re looking forward to creating holiday magic and new memories with their children.”

In a previous interview with Marie Claire, Meghan revealed that she and Harry always leave a seat open for friends at their Thanksgiving table in Montecito, with activist Gloria Steinem among their guests in the past.

Meghan shared her excitement about the holidays, saying, “At first, as a mom with young children, you’re just enjoying having them there, even if they don’t fully understand everything. But now that they’re older, I can’t wait to see the holiday magic through their eyes every year.”

The couple has also begun their own traditions with their children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, such as leaving out “carrots for the reindeer” on Christmas Eve.

Next week, Meghan and Harry will be attending events on opposite coasts. Meghan is set to honor her friend, Hollywood producer Tyler Perry, at the 2024 Paley Honors Fall Gala in Beverly Hills, while Harry will be speaking at The New York Times DealBook Conference on December 4.