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.”