The Gist
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released a Christmas card every year since marrying in 2018.
This year was no exception, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their holiday card on December 19.
Unlike in previous years, their holiday card didn't feature a photo of their kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Prince HarryandMeghan Markleare spreading a little holiday cheer with the release of their family's Christmas card.
On December 19, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released their annual holiday card, which featured a photo of the couple holding hands at the Invictus Games in Canada. Unlike in years past, their 2025 card didn't feature their kids, but it's worth noting Harry and Meghan often send out two Christmas cards each year—one for public consumption and one for their family and close friends.
"On behalf of the office of Prince Harry & Meghan, Duke & Duchess of Sussex, and Archewell, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year," the message that accompanied the photo read.
Credit: Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex
In 2024, Harry, Meghan, and their kidsPrince ArchieandPrincess Lilibetwere featured in thefamily holiday card, with a photo taken of Archie and Lilibet from behind running into their parents' arms. The card also featured five other photos of Harry and Meghan during their 2024 trips to Nigeria and Colombia.
"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 previously toldPeople. "He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm."
"As a dad and a husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself," the friend added, referring to his motherPrincess Diana's death in a 1997 car accident while being pursued by paparazzi.
Meghan Markle/Instagram
In addition to this card, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also sent aprivate Christmas cardto close friends and family, which was inadvertently revealed during anArchitectural Digestphotoshoot of family friend Gloria Steinem's New York City home. The Sussex family's private Christmas card could be seen on one of Steinem's side tables and featured the family of four smiling while lying in the grass.
Meghan Markle/Instagram
In 2023, Harry and Meghan chose aglamorous photo of themselvesat the closing ceremony of that year's Invictus Games in Germany, and in 2022,their Christmas card photocame from another night out, that time to the Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award Gala in New York City.
The year prior, in 2021, the couple released a landmark photo—the first photo publicly shared of Lilibet, who was then six months old. "This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world," the card read. "Archie made us a 'Mama' and a 'Papa,' and Lili made us a family." The photo of the family of four was taken by photographer Alexi Lubomirski, who also shot Harry and Meghan's engagement photos in 2017.
In 2020, Harry and Meghan celebrated their first Christmas at home in Montecito, California, and their Christmas card was an illustration of a photo taken by Meghan's motherDoria Raglandof Archie and the family's two dogs at the time, Pula and Guy. The card offered a glimpse into the Sussex family's backyard, including a playhouse for Archie.
"Archie is really happy, and he has space to run free," a source toldPeople. "The house came with a play structure that he'll be climbing in no time."
The year prior, 2019, was Archie's first Christmas, and he was front and center in the family Christmas card photo, which was taken by Meghan's friend, actress Janina Gavankar. For their first married Christmas card in 2018, a photo was shared from Harry and Meghan's wedding reception, taken by Chris Allerton and depicting the couple watching fireworks on May 19, the day they said "I do."
Meghan Markle/Instagram
Of Christmas with her kids, Meghan toldMarie Clairelast year, "Now we're at the age where I just can't wait to see it through their lens every year."
"Every single holiday is a new adventure," she added.
Read the original article onInStyle
