Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shared a rare glimpse into their family life with a heartwarming holiday card featuring their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. The couple unveiled the card on December 16, 2024, which features a six-photo montage capturing joyful moments with their three dogs, Guy, Pula, and Momma Mia.
The highlight of the card is an image of Archie and Lilibet excitedly running toward their parents. Meghan, 43, smiles at Archie, while Harry, 40, crouches to greet Lilibet, whose red hair is a striking resemblance to her brother’s. Fans quickly took to social media to express their affection for the image, admiring the children’s likeness to their father and noting the growing bond between the siblings. Some even mentioned the children’s distinctive red hair, which they share with Harry.
The card also includes a festive message wishing supporters a happy holiday season and a joyful new year. In addition to the family portrait, the card features photos from Harry and Meghan’s trips to Colombia and Nigeria earlier in the year.
This rare public appearance of their children sparked an outpouring of love from fans on social media, with many expressing their admiration for the family’s privacy. While the couple is known for keeping their children out of the spotlight, their supporters were grateful for the rare update, with many noting how much Archie and Lilibet have grown. One fan observed that Lilibet was almost as tall as Archie, and others remarked on the children’s striking red hair.
Meghan and Harry’s decision to share the card while maintaining their children’s privacy has garnered respect from many. Some fans expressed their admiration for the couple’s balance between public appearances and personal life, acknowledging that, while they would love to see more of the kids, they respect the family’s desire to keep them out of the limelight.
Prince Harry himself has shared fond details about his children in recent public appearances. At the WellChild Awards, where Harry serves as patron, he spoke about the joys of fatherhood, commenting on how Archie and Lilibet have inherited Meghan’s thick, long hair. He jokingly remarked that it wouldn’t be long before Lilibet could sit on her own hair. Harry also expressed his appreciation for Meghan’s support, noting that she juggles the demands of raising their two children, their three dogs, and their chickens.
In addition to his duties as a father, Harry has continued to engage in his charitable work. At the WellChild Awards, he appeared content and fulfilled, reflecting on the positive impact of the event and his passion for helping children and families. His cheerful and lighthearted comments about family life revealed a sense of contentment and joy in his new chapter.
As for Archie and Lilibet’s royal status, the couple made headlines earlier in 2024 when they officially changed their children’s surnames to reflect their royal titles. After King Charles III ascended to the throne in 2022, he bestowed the titles of prince and princess on his grandchildren. However, it wasn’t until March 2023 that the titles were officially used for the first time at Lilibet’s christening. The children’s names were then updated on the royal family’s official website to “Prince Archie of Sussex” and “Princess Lilibet of Sussex.”
This change in surname reflects the royal tradition where members of the royal family often use their father’s territorial designation as their surname. In this case, “Sussex” was chosen to align with the couple’s titles. While Harry and Meghan had previously used “Mountbatten-Windsor” as their children’s surname, the new surname reflects their royal lineage and their parents’ legacy.
The adoption of “Sussex” aligns with historical royal naming conventions. In the royal family, surnames typically reflect paternal lineage, with monarchs and their families taking on the name of the royal house they belong to. The decision to use “Sussex” for their children’s surname is a reflection of the family’s close connection to their titles and heritage.
While Harry and Meghan continue to navigate the complexities of family life, their children remain at the heart of their updates, balancing their growing public presence with their desire to keep personal matters private. Their holiday card provides a rare, intimate look at their family’s joy and growth, spreading warmth and cheer as they enjoy the festive season together.
Through this simple but meaningful gesture, the couple has given their supporters a glimpse into their lives, offering a rare moment of connection amid their continued efforts to protect their children’s privacy. The outpouring of love for the Sussex family highlights the admiration and affection that many fans have for Harry and Meghan as they continue to share moments of happiness and togetherness with the world.
Despite their desire for privacy, the Sussexes’ decision to share this holiday card underscores the deep bond between the family and their supporters. Fans have praised the couple for maintaining their children’s privacy while still offering a small but touching glimpse into their growing family. As the holidays approach, this rare family portrait will undoubtedly remain a cherished and heartwarming reminder of the Sussexes’ commitment to each other and to their values.
