Meghan Markle has encouraged Americans to “open their arms” to new people this Thanksgiving, reflecting on her own feelings of isolation during her time as part of the Royal Family.

The Duchess of Sussex, 43, recently hosted a dinner in Los Angeles for Afghan women resettled in the U.S. Earlier this month, in an interview with *Marie Claire*, Meghan, a mother of two based in Montecito, California, was asked how Americans can help women in similar situations feel more welcome.

She responded: “It’s really simple. Just think about how you’d want someone to treat you—how would you want someone to welcome you with open arms?”

Since stepping down from royal duties in 2020, both Meghan and Prince Harry have spoken publicly about her challenges adjusting to royal life, frequently emphasizing how the reality of being a member of the Firm differed from public perception.

In their Netflix series, Meghan recounted her first meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales, describing herself as a natural “hugger” and noting that her warmth might have been “jarring” to the more formal couple. Similarly, in her 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview, Meghan alleged that unnamed members of the Royal Family speculated about “how dark Archie’s skin might be” before his birth, highlighting the struggles she faced adapting to her new life.

Reflecting on her time in the U.K., Meghan emphasized the importance of finding a supportive community when missing one’s home country. This sentiment was echoed during the dinner event, which was held in partnership with Mina’s List and Archewell’s The Welcome Project. These organizations provide programs for Afghan women, including art, photography, cooking, sewing, hiking, and swimming.

Speaking about the event, Meghan shared: “You miss your home, your country, but you can also find comfort in the new community here. I’m grateful we can be part of that.” The dinner featured traditional Afghan dishes, including Ashak and Mantuu dumplings, prepared by chef Shane Fatemian, and was hosted in the garden of cookware company Our Place’s headquarters, a brand founded by a female immigrant and previously partnered with Selena Gomez.

Discussing her own Thanksgiving plans, Meghan described them as “low-key,” adding that it’s wonderful to have her mother, Doria Ragland, nearby. She expressed excitement about celebrating with her children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3: “Every year gets better as they grow older. Seeing it through their eyes is so special.”

Over the years, Meghan and Harry have openly discussed how the Royal Family could have provided more support during her time as a working royal. Meghan has shared instances of loneliness, comparing her experience to the isolation many felt during the COVID-19 lockdowns. She recalled moments when Harry was away for work, leaving her feeling “very little I was allowed to do,” which fostered feelings of loneliness.

In their Netflix series, Meghan recalled being surprised at how the royal family’s formality extended behind closed doors, recounting a meeting with William and Kate when she greeted them barefoot and in ripped jeans, only to find the atmosphere unexpectedly formal.

Further insight into Meghan’s struggles was provided in Prince Harry’s memoir *Spare*, where he suggested that Kate Middleton was uneasy about Meghan’s arrival, fearing potential competition between them. Meghan also spoke candidly in her Oprah interview about experiencing suicidal thoughts during her pregnancy with Archie in 2019 and seeking help, only to be told that the Royal Family could not support her as she was not a paid employee.

The couple also shared allegations of multiple conversations within the family about Archie’s future lack of a title and security, alongside discussions about his skin tone. Meghan declined to name those involved, saying doing so would be “damaging.”

Elsewhere, Meghan described her early interactions with the Royal Family as challenging. Oprah asked Meghan about her time with Kate Middleton, including their shared appearances at Wimbledon. While Meghan initially expressed feeling welcomed, she later reflected: “My experience of the past four years is that it’s nothing like what it looks like.”

In his book *Our King: Charles III*, royal biographer Robert Jobson claimed Meghan dismissed Queen Elizabeth II’s suggestion to seek guidance from Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, about royal life, reportedly saying, “I’ve got Harry.”

Royal expert Andrew Morton also claimed the late Queen had offered Meghan the opportunity to continue her acting career if she didn’t want to fully embrace royal duties. According to Morton, Meghan and Harry were given flexibility to choose their roles, including the possibility of serving as youth ambassadors for the Commonwealth. Despite these options, there were clear signs early on that adapting to royal life would be challenging for the couple.

Morton reflected: “The Queen gave them a chance to go wherever they wanted. They were given opportunities but chose their path.”