Full Breakdown
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Share Holiday Cheer with Family Photo
12/19/2025, 10:36:23 PM
Family Holiday Card Unveiled
On December 19, 2025, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released their holiday card featuring their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The image, shared by Meghan on her Instagram account, captures the family on a small stone bridge in a woodland setting, with the caption, "Happy Holidays! From our family to yours." In the photo, Archie, aged 6, hugs Harry, while Meghan crouches to share a moment with her 4-year-old daughter, Lilibet, whose red hair is prominently displayed.
Insights into Family Traditions
The holiday card release coincided with Meghan's recent Netflix special, *With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration*, where she provided a glimpse into their family's Christmas traditions. Meghan detailed her process of creating personalized Advent calendars for Archie and Lilibet, filling them with handwritten notes and small treats. She emphasized the importance of small gestures during the holiday season, stating, “All it’s really about is having a surprise and delight every single day for 24 days until you get to Christmas.”
In addition to the Advent calendars, Meghan highlighted their family’s culinary traditions, including a Christmas Eve gumbo recipe from her mother, Doria Ragland. She described the gumbo as a once-a-year tradition, while also mentioning their Christmas morning brunch, featuring a cinnamon bun star as the centerpiece.
Maintaining Privacy
Despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have continued the tradition of sharing holiday greetings, similar to other royal family members. However, they have been selective about revealing their children's faces to the public, prioritizing their privacy. The couple has previously released holiday cards that featured only themselves or images where their children's faces were obscured.
Official Statements & Responses
In their holiday message, the Sussexes expressed their wishes for a joyful season, stating, “On behalf of the Office of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Archewell, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year.” This message was accompanied by a video showcasing their philanthropic work through the Archewell Foundation, which is being renamed Archewell Philanthropies.
Criticism & Opposition
While the couple has received support for their efforts to maintain family privacy, some critics argue that their public appearances and shared content contradict their stated desire for privacy. Observers note the tension between their roles as public figures and their attempts to shield their children from media scrutiny.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Happy Holidays! From our family to yours” — Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
- “[It’s about] trying to really embrace and lean into making every day of that month special as you’re wrapping up a year,” — Meghan Markle
- “Gumbo, for me, is one of my favorites,” — Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
The holiday card and accompanying messages reflect the Sussex family's commitment to sharing their lives while navigating the complexities of public attention and personal privacy.
