Which Royals Celebrate Thanksgiving? You May Be Surprised

From turkey dinner to gathering around the table, Thanksgiving is a tradition that even some royals are into — despite its American roots.

The popular holiday observed annually on the third Thursday of every November in the United States also has a few royal fans around the world.

The Philadelphia-born Princess Grace of Monaco (known prior to her marriage as Grace Kelly, who even won an Oscar while working as an actress under that name) “insisted” on having turkey at the palace in Monaco on Thanksgiving.

Her son, Prince Albert, previously said, “We either had a Thanksgiving lunch here at the palace, or we would join the American Club over there on the Riviera or the Monaco/USA Association. They had Thanksgiving luncheons either at the Hotel de Paris or in another location, and so we would participate in that.”

Committed to the tradition, Princess Grace made sure turkey was served during the holiday season.

“Turkey wasn’t common on European tables. We had turkey in the ’60s and ’70s because these organizations which had links with the U.S., of course. But it was virtually unknown in France and there was very little of it,” Prince Albert explained. “But Mom insisted, and if we didn’t have turkey at the palace for Thanksgiving, we would have it at Christmas time.”

Today, the Sovereign Prince marks Thanksgiving with his wife, Princess Charlene, and their 10-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella — but not every year.

The royal said that his family’s Thanksgiving celebrations are “on and off,” because sometimes “other commitments get in the way, sometimes travel schedules, and so we don’t celebrate every year.” 

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrate Thanksgiving in California with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

The California-born Duchess of Sussex previously posted about making the perfect turkey on her Instagram page in 2016. Sharing a shot of herself beside the bird, she wrote online, “Oh, that time I roasted a pretty perfect Thanksgiving turkey! The question is, can I do it again? The pressure is on!” 

In 2021, Meghan told Ellen DeGeneres that her family would be having Thanksgiving at home in Montecito — and that she’d be doing the cooking.

“I love to cook. We’ll be home and just sort of relax and settle in. It’s our second Thanksgiving at home in California, so it will be nice,” she said on DeGeneres’ talk show, referencing their move to the U.S. in 2020.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!   

Last year, Meghan also revealed that her family previously spent the holiday with Gloria Steinem. 

“I was thinking about, in the past few years of having Thanksgiving here, like many of us, I think you always make sure there’s room at the table for your friends who don’t have family, which is really key,” Meghan told Marie Claire in 2024, explaining that Steinem “came for Thanksgiving” one year.

The Duchess of Sussex has long been friends with the feminist icon — and it made it sound like her house is the place to be. 

“We’re always making sure we have something fun to do,” Meghan said about how they celebrate. “Like any other family, you spend time having a great meal, and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff, someone brings a guitar — fun.”