The spotlight knows no mercy when it comes to celebrities and their children. That’s exactly why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex keep their kids’ lives private.
But in a rare turn of events, the couple shared a brand new photo of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in their holiday card. Well, kind of. The picture doesn’t actually show their faces.
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The big reveal
Omid Scobie, the Sussexes’ long-time friend and royal reporter, shared the card on X (formerly Twitter), which said: “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.”
Cuteness overload
In one of the pictures, you can see Princess Lilibet, 3, running into her father’s open arms while Meghan waits for a hug from Prince Archie, 5. In the other pictures, you can also see the family dogs in the family portrait.
The fans’ reactions to the pictures
With the children being rarely spotted in public, the fans were in awe of how grown they were. One person said: “The kids are so big.”
Another added, “Look at the kids. They have grown so much.” Other people noticed how the children had bright red hair, just like their father.
People are in awe
The fans can’t get over the new pictures, with one of them saying: “So cute to see a picture of their children.” Another was very excited that the kids were redheads just like their grandchildren, saying: “Okay so of course I went right to the photo of the kids!! Red heads!! Just like my grandkids!! I love it!!”
Prince Harry cherishes fatherhood
Prince Harry talked to the BBC in September on his birthday eve about fatherhood and how much he cherishes the experience.
He said, “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”
America vs. England
The Duke of Sussex also spoke to The New York Times (via ABC) about how living with the kids in America is a unique experience, saying: “I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here. It’s a part of my life that I never thought that I was gonna live.”
Living the life his mother wanted for him
Prince Harry continued to The New York Times, saying: “I feel as though it’s the life that my mom wanted for me. To be able to do the things I’m able to do with my kids that I undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the U.K.—it’s huge. I’m hugely grateful for that.”
The last time people saw the kids
Before the release of this year’s picture of the kids, the last time people saw Lilibet and Archie was when they were caught in the couple’s Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, released in December 2022.
This explains people’s excitement over seeing the children, even if it’s just their backs.
It’s a yearly tradition
Despite quitting their royal duties about half a decade ago, the couple still habitually share the picture used on their Christmas card like the other royal members. Every card has its special touch from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The previous Christmas cards
This is the third year that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex share a yearly Christmas card, and they still opt not to show the kids’ faces and maintain their privacy. In 2022 and 2023, Prince Harry and Meghan was in the Christmas card, without the kids.
