For the first time in years, theDuke and Duchess of Sussexincluded their children,Prince ArchieandPrincess Lilibet, in their seasonal greeting, but they did so with a notable twist that underscores their commitment to privacy.
HighlightsMeghan Markle and Prince Harry shared a holiday card featuring their kids for first time in years.“We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year,” said the family of four.In true Sussex fashion, Archie and Lilibet’s faces remained hidden, a move aligned with their ongoing efforts to protect their privacy.“Harry has been reluctant to show his children publicly, not out of a desire to hide them but to protect their privacy and safety from potential threats,” a friend of the couple said.
While some royal fans praised the photo for its warmth and beauty, others criticized it and went as far as saying there is “no way those kids on the card are theirs.”
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Meghan MarkleandPrince Harryshared their 2024 holiday card, wishing fans a “happy holiday season”
Image credits:Chris Jackson/Getty Images
On December 16, the Sussexes released a holiday card featuring a collage of six photographs, which included the royal couple during their trips to Columbia and Nigeria this year.
One of the pictures also showed the family of four with their three beloved dogs—Guy, Pula, and Momma Mia. The scene was idyllic: the children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, joyfully running toward their parents in an outdoor setting.
Yet, in keeping with their cautious approach, the children’s faces remained hidden, emphasizing their ongoing effort to shield them from public scrutiny.
“On behalf of the office of Prince Harry andMeghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation. We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year,” read the message accompanying the heartfelt images.
The collage of photos they shared marked thefirst time in yearsthat their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have been featured
Image credits:Netflix
The holiday card sparked discussions online, with supporters applauding the couple’s commitment to privacy, while critics questioned its authenticity.
“I’m sure Diana would be so proud of Harry for protecting his family. It’s a beautiful picture,” one social media user commented, while another said, “Beautiful photo beautiful family and I applaud them for protecting their children in today’s world!!”
The card includes anidyllic photoof the family of four, along with their three beloved dogs—Guy, Pula, and Momma Mia
Image credits:Archewell Foundation
“Something off about that picture. I’m a retired nursery teacher & I’ve never seen a 3 Yr old that big & Archie looks like a completely different child-again,” one bluntly said.
Another wrote, “There is no way those kids on the card are theirs … the girl looks like she’s 6 or seven and the boy looks too old to be 5.”
The recentholiday cardmarks the first time in three years that Archie and Lilibet have appeared in their holiday card.
In true Sussex fashion,Archie and Lilibet’s faces remained hidden, a move aligned with their ongoing efforts to protect their privacy
In 2020, Meghan and Harry announced that they werestepping back as “senior” royals. They then left the UK to raise their family in a quieter setting in the US.
Since stepping back from royal duties and settling in Montecito, California, the couple has been steadfast in raising their children outside the media spotlight.
A friend of the couple recently toldPeoplethat Harry’s approach to parenting stems from a desire to safeguard his kids from “kidnapping or harm.”
“Harry has been reluctant to show his children publicly, not out of a desire to hide them but to protect their privacy and safety from potential threats,” the friend toldPeople.
The card sparked intenseonline debate, with critics accusing the photo of being staged or inauthentic
“He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm,” they added.
This protective instinct is personal for Harry, who has often spoken about his late mother,Princess Diana, and the relentless media intrusion she faced, according to the friend.
“As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself,” the source added.
The Duke’s concerns about security have pushed him to fight forincreased protections for his family, particularly in the UK.
Earlier this year, he lost a legal challenge to secure automatic security for himself and his loved ones when visiting his home country. He reportedly plans to appeal the decision.
“Our kids are young; they’re three and five. They’re amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them,” the Duchess of Sussex said earlier this year
The couple also launched The Parents’ Network, in association with the couple’s charitable Archewell Foundation this year. The group, which includes parents who have directly or indirectly lost a child after exposure to online threats, offers families help to protect children from digital harm.
During the launch,Meghanalso expressed her wish to protect her two young children as well during the conversation.
“Our kids are young; they’re three and five. They’re amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them,” she toldCBS News Sunday Morningduring the August launch.
“And so, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good,” she continued.
“Girl child looks [the] same size as [the] boy child – aren’t they like 2 years apart?” asked one social media user
Thanks! Check out the results:Lei RV
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