In late December 2024, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their holiday card, which has since warmed the hearts of many. The card featured six photos that beautifully showcased their love for one another, their joyful life with their two children, and their dedication to the Archewell Foundation.
The collage also included snapshots from Harry and Meghan’s 2024 trips to Nigeria and Colombia. True to royal tradition, fans were treated to a new family portrait as well. In the photo, 5-year-old Archie and 3-year-old Lilibet can be seen running into their parents’ arms, surrounded by their beloved dogs. The card was signed off with a heartfelt message:
“On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation. We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year.”
Fans quickly took to social media to share their admiration, praising the family’s closeness and the growth of their children.
“One absolutely gorgeous photo and so wonderful to see how much they’re growing! Wishing them a beautiful Christmas ❤️❤️❤️❤️,” one follower commented.
Another Instagram user expressed their appreciation for the collage capturing the highlights of their year and sent more love to the Duke and Duchess, writing:
“So cute!! Love a collage of photos for a holiday card ❤️ and the family photo 😍”
The Sussexes’ 2023 Christmas card notably did not include their two young children. Instead, it featured a joyful photo of the couple taken at the 2023 Invictus Games in Düsseldorf. The previous year, 2022, the royals opted for a sleek and elegant black-and-white portrait of just the two of them.
The card carried a warm message that read:
“From our family to yours, and on behalf of our team at The Archewell Foundation, Archewell Audio, and Archewell Productions, we wish you health, peace, and a very happy new year!”
Since founding the Archewell Foundation in 2020 as their charitable platform, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have included the organization’s name on their holiday greetings for the past three years.
With a mission to “Show Up, Do Good,” their philanthropic work has taken them to numerous countries around the world.
In their special 2021 holiday card, the Sussexes introduced their daughter, Lilibet, for the first time. The photo captured the family sitting together on their porch at home. The card’s message read:
“This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a ‘Mama’ and a ‘Papa,’ and Lili made us a family.”
For 2020, they chose a sunlit image taken at their Montecito residence, departing from the traditional snowy scenes. This photo featured Archie and their two dogs, Guy and Pula, happily posing inside their festive garden shed.
Although the Sussexes generally keep their children’s lives out of the public eye, the 2024 holiday card featuring Archie and Lilibet offers a rare and intimate look into their family. A close friend shared with People magazine that protecting their children’s privacy remains paramount:
“Harry has been hesitant to publicly show his children, not to hide them but to safeguard their privacy and security from possible threats. He wants them to experience as normal a life as possible, free from the fear of kidnapping or harm.”
Reflecting on the tragic fate of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, the source added:
“As a father and husband, Harry is determined to prevent history from repeating itself.”
While the family photo in the Sussexes’ 2024 holiday card captured widespread attention, one family member sparked particular interest due to her resemblance to one of William and Kate’s children. Many viewers couldn’t help but notice that Princess Lilibet bears a striking similarity to her cousin, Princess Charlotte. Prior to the card’s release, the public hadn’t seen an official image of Princess Lilibet since her first birthday photo.
The family portrait felt especially intimate, taken at the Sussexes’ home in Montecito, California. Although Archie and Lilibet’s faces were not visible in the picture, Lilibet’s long, flowing hair and charming floral dress closely resembled the style often worn by Princess Charlotte. Charlotte has frequently been seen in similar floral dresses while attending royal engagements with her parents.
For instance, an official birthday photo of Princess Charlotte in 2019 showed her wearing a blue floral dress similar to Lilibet’s, paired with white socks and shoes. The same outfit style was also noted when Charlotte visited the hospital to meet her younger brother, Prince Louis, shortly after his birth.
While it remains unclear whether Princess Lilibet’s facial features resemble Princess Charlotte’s, it is evident that Harry and Meghan’s approach to dressing their children pays homage to the traditional royal style. Despite their efforts to maintain privacy by keeping Archie and Lilibet largely out of the public eye, it’s heartwarming to notice the similarities between the daughters of William and Harry.
