Just in time for the holidays, the couple, who are well-known for their private lives and royal connections, provided a unique and endearing look at their developing kids.
With a heartwarming picture of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are spreading holiday cheer. On Monday, December 16, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their 2024 holiday card, which immediately went viral online. The card showed a sweet family moment with their three dogs.
The card’s focal point, a six-photo montage, features a picture of Princess Lilibet, age three, and Prince Archie, age five, running excitedly toward their parents. In the picture, Harry, 40, squats down to greet Lilibet, whose red hair resembles her brother’s, while Meghan, 43, is seen grinning broadly at Archie. The presence of Guy, Pula, and Mommy Mia—the family’s cherished dogs—frames the picture.
The card also carries a festive message: “On behalf of the offices 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.”
The card also includes other images that showcase moments from Harry and Meghan’s earlier this year trips to Nigeria and Colombia.
The Sussexes, who don’t often post pictures of their kids, have given their fans a very special holiday card this year. As the family welcomes the Christmas season, the private family moment provides a unique glimpse of Archie and Lilibet, who are now more mature, sharing joy.
Fans have also been quick to post their thoughts and emotions on social media, expressing their love and respect for this.
On Instagram, one wrote, “Aww they both got Harrys [sic] hair😍.” Another chimed in, “Awww, so cute! Lovely family.” Reflecting on the touching family dynamic, a user noted, “Princess Lili is definitely daddy’s girl 🥹.”
Others couldn’t help but admire the siblings’ resemblance to their dad, with a comment reading, “beautiful [sic] family of redheads ❤️.”
Another fan highlighted the standout feature of the heart-melting family portrait—“Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie’s hair 🥹.” Noticing Lilibet’s growth, a user observed, “Lilibet is almost as tall as Archie. ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”
Some fans praised the couple’s decision to maintain their children’s privacy while sharing this small glimpse. One user expressed, “Awww! I love the family photo! I would love to see the kids more, but I fully respect them wanting to keep the kids out of the spotlight. Those are for sure Harry’s kids with that red hair!” Another succinctly added, “Ginger ❤️❤️❤️😍❤️😍❤️.”
On X (formerly Twitter), the sentiment continued, with one user proclaiming, “The most beautiful redheads appeared.”
Although the holiday card provided a new look at his kids, Prince Harry has already revealed endearing details about them. During his speech at the WellChild Awards, where he has been a patron for many years, Harry shared a sweet fact about Archie and Lilibet.
The father of two proudly revealed what the children got from their mother in the October 2024 issue of Hello! Magazine.
Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon, chief content officer for Hello!, recalled that conversation with Harry, stating, “Archie and Lili have been blessed with their mother’s thick hair; he told us, self-effacingly, as he marveled that it won’t be long until Lili can sit on hers.”
Vokes-Dudgeon added that Harry appeared at ease and hopeful about the next phase of his life. He said that acquaintances had told him that his forties were “the best decade” and praised Meghan’s steadfast support at home.
Harry revealed that in addition to the couple’s two kids, Meghan was occupied with their three dogs, whom he humorously referred to as “not quite house-trained.” Harry made lighthearted references to their poultry, adding to their busy family life and suggesting a vibrant dynamic in the home.
Vokes-Dudgeon said that Harry seemed “in his element” and incredibly fulfilled while talking about his children and his philanthropic efforts, despite his humorous comments. Unquestionably, he enjoys spending time with the families, kids, and professionals honored at the WellChild Awards.
The Sussexes’ children continue to be at the center of significant updates as they manage their family life while striking a balance between privacy and public interest.
Following their newly granted royal titles, the couple made headlines earlier this year in February 2024 when they formally altered the last names of their children.
Previously going by the last name “Mountbatten-Windsor,” Archie and Lilibet adopted their royal titles as part of their official last names.
When King Charles III took the throne in 2022, he awarded his grandchildren the coveted titles of prince and princess, a gesture that Harry and Meghan found very endearing. Although they agreed to the titles, they weren’t utilized until much later.
When Princess Lilibet was christened in March 2023, the titles were used for the first time, marking a public recognition of this incredible shift. On the royal family’s official website, the children’s names were subsequently changed to “Prince Archie of Sussex” and “Princess Lilibet of Sussex.”
As titles and territory designations frequently function as surnames, the choice of “Sussex” as the family’s surname is consistent with royal customs, thus enshrining the children’s royal heritage and their parents’ history in their names. In the royal family, whose names and titles are closely linked to identity and ancestry, this approach to surnames is in line with historical precedence.
According to the official royal website, paternal ancestry is frequently reflected in royal surnames. Nonetheless, the royal family has its own customs, and sovereigns usually take their father’s name for their “House.”
As demonstrated by the House of Windsor, this custom guarantees continuity and respects the family heritage. Members of the royal family, including Harry and Meghan Markle’s offspring, would normally have the “Mountbatten-Windsor” surname unless a monarch opted to alter this custom. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have since reversed this practice.
