Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Took a Secret Trip to the U.S. for Thanksgiving

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have already announced (via a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchesses of Sussex) that the two are taking some much-needed time off around Christmastime this year. Though the palace didn't confirm where or what, exactly, that entailed, rumors arose that this family vacation was set to include a trip to the United States to visit Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, in California.

And while the couple still hasn't shared their itinerary—they do like their privacy, after all—it seems they may have traveled to the U.S. a little earlier than anticipated, at least according to royal reporters. This week on the HeirPod podcast, royal reporter Omid Scobie and ITV News producer Lizzie Robinson shared that the Sussexes were away for Thanksgiving and likely already in the U.S.

Scobie explained that the couple wouldn't be at an upcoming reception because, well, they aren't in the United Kingdom. "The Sussexes are away," Scobie said. "They are on their break right up until Christmas...they celebrated Thanksgiving privately with close family, which is lovely." Scobie then added, "The Sussexes are on official leave at the moment, so there are no expectations for them to be there. I think it’s quite normal. We’ve seen members of the royal family on absence on their own personal leave in the past."

Robinson added, "And we know they’re away, so they’re not even in the country to attend." Later she shared, "[They need the break] and probably being away, back home for Meghan in the U.S."

It's likely they'll stay for Christmas too. A few weeks ago, a palace spokesperson tweeted about their holiday plans, writing, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to extended family time toward the end of this month. Having spent the last two Christmases at Sandringham, [the couple] will spend the holiday this year, as a new family, with the duchess’s mother Doria."

Originally Appeared on Glamour