Meghan Markle and Prince Harry 'creating their own Christmas traditions' with Archie

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are "creating their own traditions" as they celebrate their first Christmas since quitting the Royal Family, it has been reported.

In January this year the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the bombshell announcement that they were dumping the royals.

Two months later they left the UK with their 17-month-old son Archie and moved into a friend's property in Los Angeles where Meghan's mum Doria Ragland resided.

In August they bought a £11million luxury pad in Santa Barbara, California, where they are enjoying Christmas this year - possibly with Doria.

Last year the couple were in Canada as part of a "six-week" break so this is the second time they have spent Christmas away from Harry's grandma the Queen, brother Prince William and dad Prince Charles.

An insider told PEOPLE the couple love Christmas and they have been decorating with Archie.

They added: "They are creating their own traditions at their new home.

"It's Harry's second Christmas away from England, and Meghan wants to make sure it's special for everyone."

As the couple prepared for Christmas they were allowed to browse a shop while it was empty to buy a fir tree for their mansion.

But one family happened to still be inside and an excited child ran through the trees to Harry and "asked if he worked here", shop salesman James Almaguer has claimed.

He went on to describe Harry, 36, as a "chill lad" and Megan, 39, as "very kind".

Posting on Twitter, James wrote: "Megan and Prince Harry came into my work today and we sold them their Christmas tree.

"It was anti-climactic, but a very, very interesting experience.

"We had our lot empty when they got there - their agent promoted them a good time to come instead of us shutting it down.

"There was one family in there and their stoked little son ran through trees up to Harry and asked if he worked here not knowing who that is.

"They seems like very nice people honestly. Meghan sounds very kind and Harry sounded and acted like a chill lad honestly. I’m really glad they liked our trees. We got the best we could get. Very appreciative."

It is understood the shop was Big Wave Dave's Christmas Trees & Pumpkin Patch, which consists of two tarpaulin tents in the car park of Macy's department store in Santa Barbara's North State area.

On Wednesday, Harry and Meghan shared their 2020 Christmas card, offering a rare glimpse of son Archie and their two dogs.

The arty card was released in partnership with animal welfare charity Mayhew, of which Meghan is patron.

The digitally-painted Christmas card features an artistic drawing of the royal couple, with son Archie and their two dogs playing outside.

Harry is sat in the doorway of a shed with Archie - now one-year-old - on his lap as Meghan looks on and reaches out her hand to her young son.

The trio are smiling and laughing in the touching scene.

Archie, who has not been seen in public since he was a baby, appears to have his dad's red hair.

A source previously told PEOPLE: "They are very happy."