Prince Harry once binned Christmas present from wife Meghan Markle? All you need to know

Prince Harry might have felt the heat to give a standout Christmas gift for his wife Meghan Markle this year. The Duke of Sussex has earlier admitted that Meghan is an exceptional gift-giver and really pulled it out the bag four years ago - even though he ended up binning it.

According to a report in The Express, it was the couple’s first Christmas together since quitting their senior roles in the royal family and leaving the UK for the States. At this point, the pair were proud parents to one-year-old Archie; daughter Lilibet would be born the following year.

ALSO READ: Is Elon Musk targeting X accounts against H1-B visas? Laura Loomer, others question loss of blue checks and subscribers

When Harry binned Christmas gift from Markle

In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry revealed that Meghan Markle bought him something that would remind him of home. Taking a trip down memory lane, Harry wrote that she spotted a Christmas tree ornament with a picture of the Queen on it in a local shop and “thought he would like it.”

And Meghan's intuition was spot on – Harry said he "roared" with laughter upon unwrapping it and promptly hung it on the tree at Archie's eye level.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the wisest decision, as Archie managed to grab and break the ornament.

Reflecting on the incident, Harry remembered: "I grabbed a dustpan and swept the pieces, all the while thinking: This is weird!"

ALSO READ: Prince Harry-Meghan Markle heading for divorce? Duchess of Sussex breaks silence after solo Thanksgiving appearance

Harry reminisced during an interview with James Corden, saying, "My grandmother asked us what Archie wanted for Christmas, and Meg said a waffle maker. So, she sent us a waffle maker for Archie," revealing the late Queen's knack for thoughtful presents.

He added: "Meg makes up a beautiful organic mix in the waffle maker, flip it, out it comes – [Archie] loves it, and now I have waffles for breakfast, bit of yoghurt, bit of jam on top."

The couple spent their first Christmas together at Sandringham in 2017 after their engagement. Settled in their Santa Barbara home, Harry and Meghan, along with their kids Archie and Lilibet, spent the last holiday season away from the Royal family after reportedly having their invitation to join the festivities withdrawn.

ALSO READ: Prince Harry was left 'red-faced' over Meghan Markle's actions in Netflix docuseries. The reason might shock you

How Harry-Meghan celebrated this year's Christmas

After a snub from royal family, the Sussexes, preferring the coziness of their California home, have enjoyed quieter holiday seasons with Meghan's mother, Doria, as their sole family guest.

ALSO READ: Amid Prince Harry-Meghan Markle divorce buzz, Duchess of Sussex's shocking allegation against King Charles, Queen Camilla

In a recent appearance, Meghan shared a glimpse into their intimate Christmas plans, which included festive meals and games and hinted at a musical singalong. Since marrying Meghan in 2018, Harry has spent just one Christmas at Sandringham, in December that year.

While Harry and Meghan decorated their home and crafted gingerbread houses, the rest of the royals gathered at Sandringham, assembling for the holiday season without extending an invite to the stateside couple.

Adding more context, royal biographer Ingrid Seward said, "Back at Sandringham it will have been the traditional Christmas UK style that Harry knows so well. King Charles would have loved the opportunity to see his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet, but he knew inviting Harry and Meghan would have been awkward for the rest of the family. So, there was no official invitation."