Prince Harry and Meghan’s children take center stage in the couple’s holiday card

In an exciting turn of events, the royal duo also decided to show off their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibeth, along with their three dogs.

The card also highlighted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s global philanthropic efforts through The Archewell Foundation, with photos from trips to Nigeria and Colombia.

On December 16, Meghan and Harry unveiled their 2024 holiday card, which offers a touching glimpse into their married life.

In one of the six photos, their children, 5-year-old Archie and 3-year-old Lilibeth, happily run to their parents, together with their three beloved dogs.

In the photo, Archie and Lilybeth look more grown-up, with their father Harry crouching down to greet the little princess, whose long red hair matches her brother’s.

The card has a stunning green background and features messages from the Sussexes, Archewell Productions and the Archewell Foundation.

It read: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and the Archewell Foundation. We wish you a happy holiday season and a happy new year.”

The photo collection also included five additional snaps of Harry and Meghan from their trips to Nigeria and Colombia this year.

The photo of Archie and Lilibeth is a rare glimpse of the children, who were last seen in brief appearances during Netflix’s Harry and Meghan docu-series, which premieres in December 2022.

According to sources, the holiday card is for professional purposes and the Sussexes have privately sent a separate card to their close friends and loved ones that will remain out of the public eye.

Earlier this year, a source close to Harry shared with People magazine that the Duke of Sussex is deeply committed to protecting the privacy of his children.

“Harry didn’t want to show his children in public not out of a desire to hide them, but to protect their privacy and safety from potential threats,” the source explained. “He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without fear of abduction or harm.”

The insider added: “As a dad and a husband, Harry is determined to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself,” the friend added, referring to the fate of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.

Although Harry and Meghan chose not to feature their children in holiday card photos, the couple have shared such moments in the past.

Their first family of three card of 2019 included Prince Archie and his parents. In 2020, the couple also sent out an illustrated version of a photo taken by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland.

According to PeopleThe painting, which was installed in the backyard of their California home, marked their first holiday season in the US after moving from the UK

By 2021, their holiday card introduced Princess Lilibeth to the world. Lilybeth, who was born in June that year, debuted in a touching photo of the family of four, which also highlighted Prince Archie inheriting his father’s signature red hair.

The card included a touching message that read: “This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter Lilibeth. Archie made us ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’ and Lily made us a family.’

In addition to family photos, Harry and Meghan continued their tradition of including the Archevella Foundation in their holiday greetings this year.

Founded in 2020 as a platform for their philanthropic efforts, Archewell has been a key feature of their holiday cards for the past three years.

The foundation operates under the guiding principle “Show up, do good” and supports global and local initiatives throughout the year.

In 2024, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Nigeria in May and Colombia in August, promoting the foundation’s main philanthropic projects.

They have also expanded their influence in the United States, introducing new programs and expanding their domestic reach.

Harry and Meghan are reportedly preparing to celebrate Christmas at their Montecito home with Archie and Lilibeth, as well as Meghan’s mother Ragland, after being excluded from the royal family’s traditional celebrations at Sandringham.

The insider told Closer magazine that the couple is focused on creating a magical and memorable holiday for their children.

“Mom Meghan Doria will be joining them at their home in Montecito and they’ll make sure the kids have a fun day despite not being around the extended family,” the source said, adding that the lack of an invitation to join the royals ‘and did not come as a surprise to Sussex.