The former American actress and British prince revealed their Christmas card, which featured a heartwarming family moment captured near their home in Montecito, California. In the photo, 5-year-old Archie and 3-year-old Lilibet are running down the path toward their parents, surrounded by three dogs.
The young prince wore a beige jacket and blue jeans, while the princess was dressed in a light blue floral dress, white tights, and black ballet flats. The message accompanying the photo read, “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions, and the Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year.”
Other photos in the card showed the couple during their travels to Colombia and Nigeria earlier in the year. One photo depicted Meghan hugging a young girl at a Colombian daycare, while another showed Harry interacting with a Black patient in a Nigerian hospital.
The last time the Sussexes shared photos of their children was on their 2021 Christmas card. In 2022, they released a portrait of Lilibet to mark her first birthday. Since then, the couple has kept their son and daughter out of the public eye, making this rare glimpse of the children the most discussed part of their holiday message.
Comments flooded in, with many admiring the children’s red hair, which they share with their father. “Look at Archie and Lili, they have the same red hair as their dad,” one person wrote. “Lili has grown so much, and her hair is beautiful,” another added. “They’re both redheads. So cute!” others commented. “Such a perfect portrait,” said another.
Earlier, Prince Harry had remarked that the children took after their mother, rather than the British side of the family, known for their less abundant hair. “Archie and Lili are lucky to have the same thick hair as their mom. Lili will soon be able to sit on her hair,” the Duke of Sussex had said during the WellChild Awards in London.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were once again not included in the guest list for the royal family’s annual gathering at Sandringham Palace. Instead, they will celebrate Christmas at their home in the exclusive enclave of Santa Barbara, with a small group that includes Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. The last time the controversial couple attended the traditional Christmas meeting at the Norfolk estate was in 2018, when Queen Elizabeth II was still alive.
However, the Sussexes were invited to spend the holiday with the Spencer family at Althorp House, Princess Diana’s childhood home. Since stepping back from royal duties, the king’s younger son has maintained close ties with his late mother’s family, particularly with his uncle Charles, Earl Spencer. But due to ongoing security concerns, which arose after they were stripped of state-funded protection, the Duke and Duchess politely declined the invitation.
Meanwhile, the rest of the royal family is gathering at King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Norfolk estate to enjoy festive meals, exchange gifts, and attend the annual Christmas service at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
