On October 24, 2025, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, shared her unique approach to hosting, revealing her secret to creating a warm and welcoming environment for her guests. She embraces a casual and inviting atmosphere by greeting her visitors barefoot, a gesture intended to make them feel at ease as they step into her home.

The 43-year-old, who balances her roles as a former actress and a mother to Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, with her husband Prince Harry, has developed her own set of entertaining tips. During a livestream with author and lifestyle expert Courtney Adamo for Godmothers Bookstore, Meghan shared that she often opens her door sans shoes and with an apron on, a tactic she believes helps guests feel more comfortable and relaxed.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex shared her top hosting tip

Meghan elaborated on her philosophy, saying, “It demystifies. People walk in and go, ‘Oh, she’s in this with me.’ And what are they drawn to? Your kitchen. They come right in, and suddenly everyone’s a little bit softened.” Her approach underscores a desire to break down barriers and foster genuine connection.

As the founder of As Ever, Meghan also enjoys having a warm drink ready, like cider or a hot toddy, encouraging guests to serve themselves. This self-service approach adds to the casual, homey vibe she strives to create, allowing people to feel more at home and engaged in her company.

The As Ever founder likes to have a cider or hot toddy on the stove and for guests to serve themselves.

She said: “I love people being able to serve themselves, and having things on the stove that everyone can help themselves to.

“I always have music on in the background.”

When she travels, Meghan always takes along a portable speaker so she can play music, and a scented candle.

She said: “I always travel with a candle. I am so conscious and sensitive to fragrance and I associate that with home.”

Elsewhere in the discussion with her old college friend, the former Suits star explained how she uses the “rose and thorn” ritual with her children, which she finds helpful when kids prefer to only give “yes and no answers”.

She said: “Our daughter she’s four and she’s a very strong personality and she’s incredible.

“And now she’s in this moment where I say, ‘What’s your rose and your thorn?’ And she goes, ‘My day was just a blast.’ “

Meghan recalled how she and Courtney, who were in the same sorority at Northwestern University, developed a particularly strong bond after making a trip back from their California homes back to college in Chicago in 2001.

She said: “We were meant to fly [to Chicago] but we here’s why we didn’t: because 9/11 happened on that same day.

“So the two of us ended up driving 30 hours over three days. 10 hours a day. From Los Angeles to Chicago together at one of the most fragile, tender times in this country.”

The trip made the duchess realise the importance of “community” and “what people need in moments when you are wanting to feel safe.”

She added: “And there’s no safer place that you feel than in your home.”

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