On December 19, 2025, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, delighted royal watchers and casual fans alike by sharing a new holiday family photo on Instagram. The image, featuring Prince Harry and their two children, Prince Archie, aged 6, and Princess Lilibet, aged 4, offered a rare and candid glimpse into the Sussexes’ family life as they celebrated the season in their own distinctive style.
In the widely circulated snapshot, the Sussex family stands together on a small bridge over a creek, surrounded by lush trees and greenery—a setting that feels both intimate and refreshingly informal. Meghan, dressed in a cream dress and black slingback heels, bends down to meet her daughter Lilibet at eye level, nearly touching noses in a tender moment. Lilibet, wearing a blue dress with high socks and gold flats, clings to her mother’s hand. Meanwhile, Archie wraps his arms around his father’s waist, as Prince Harry, dressed in a white shirt, jeans, and sneakers, gently caresses his son’s face. The photo, as reported by BBC and Mirror, radiates warmth and authenticity—a notable departure from the more formal royal Christmas portraits of years past.
The accompanying message, simple yet heartfelt, read: “Happy Holidays! From our family to yours.” Meghan’s decision to disable comments on Instagram didn’t stop royal fans from sharing their thoughts elsewhere. According to Parade, social media users praised the relaxed and unique style of the card, with one X user remarking, “I love how the Sussexes’ Xmas Card is not like the rest of the world with the stiff poses in front of a mansion fireplace wearing matching PJs or red plaid. Very unique shots. I’m here for it….” Others on Reddit echoed the sentiment, admiring the natural setting and the family’s choice to showcase a moment of genuine connection. However, some users did critique the sheer nature of Meghan’s dress in the lighting, sparking mild controversy about her fashion choices, a recurring theme in the public’s ongoing fascination with the Duchess.
This year’s card is part of a broader tradition for the Sussexes, who, despite stepping down as working royals nearly five years ago, continue to share Christmas card photos with the public. As Mirror noted, last year’s card featured Archie and Lilibet from behind, running toward their parents—a subtle nod to their ongoing commitment to their children’s privacy. The Sussexes are known for being protective of Archie and Lilibet, rarely putting them in the limelight. In fact, a separate card, intended for close friends and family, was spotted months later in a photo accompanying an interview with Meghan’s friend Gloria Steinem in Architectural Digest. That black-and-white image showed the family lying on the ground, with Lilibet smiling widely and Archie gently placing a hand across Meghan’s face, further illustrating the family’s preference for candid, personal moments over staged portraits.
The release of the Sussexes’ card came just a day after Prince William and Kate Middleton unveiled their own Christmas card, featuring their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Earlier in December, King Charles III and Queen Camilla also released their festive greeting, as reported by BBC. The timing underscores how, even as Harry and Meghan forge their own path in California, they remain linked to royal traditions—albeit with their own twist.
In addition to the Instagram photo, Harry and Meghan released a digital Christmas card and a nearly two-minute end-of-year video highlighting their charitable work. The video, which forms part of the couple’s second official Christmas card, was intended to be unveiled at 4 p.m. but was leaked on social media earlier in the day, according to GB News. The festive greeting, shared on their official website, read: “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.”
Rather than just another posed photo, this digital card included footage from the couple’s engagements throughout 2025, including a scene of Meghan and Harry at the Invictus Games in Vancouver, walking arm in arm through the snow. The video also showed Archie and Lilibet helping their parents bake cookies ahead of Thanksgiving with a local charity—an activity that not only highlighted the children’s growing involvement in family philanthropy but also underscored the Sussexes’ commitment to service, even in their new life outside the royal fold.
This year also marked a significant milestone for the couple’s charitable efforts. On December 19, the Sussexes announced the rebranding of their foundation from the Archewell Foundation to Archewell Philanthropies, coinciding with the charity’s fifth anniversary. As BBC and GB News reported, the organization was established in 2020 after Harry and Meghan stepped down from their senior royal roles and relocated to Los Angeles. The name “Archewell” is a blend of “arche,” meaning “source of action” in ancient Greek, and “well,” representing a place of abundance and depth. The newly named Archewell Philanthropies, the couple said, will allow them “to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family, with meaningful reach and maximum impact, grounded in the same values, partnerships, and their commitment to show up and do good.”
Throughout 2025, Archewell Philanthropies has championed causes like safer online environments, responsible AI development, and support for children affected by conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The rebrand signals a new phase for the Duke and Duchess’s charitable endeavors, with an emphasis on expanding their international impact while maintaining their founding principles. A spokeswoman for the couple explained that this next chapter “allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, to broaden their global philanthropic efforts as a family.”
Alongside their public-facing activities, the Sussexes have also prioritized family time and personal traditions. Meghan’s Netflix holiday special, “With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration,” which aired on December 3, offered a behind-the-scenes look at her favorite holiday rituals, from decorating and cooking with friends to walking through a Christmas tree farm. Prince Harry made a cameo in the series, which also featured appearances by tennis star Naomi Osaka, “Top Chef” judge Tom Colicchio, and several of Meghan’s close friends. “I love the holiday season. It’s about finding time to connect with the people we love, embracing traditions and making new ones,” Meghan shared on the show, according to Page Six.
Not all news from the Markle family has been festive. On December 5, Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., revealed to Daily Mail that their father had undergone a leg amputation following a medical emergency. “There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death,” Thomas Markle Jr. said, highlighting the ongoing complexities within Meghan’s extended family.
Despite the challenges and the scrutiny that inevitably follows, the Sussexes appear determined to celebrate the holidays on their own terms—balancing public generosity, private joy, and the evolving responsibilities that come with their unique place in the world. Their latest Christmas card, with its blend of candid affection and philanthropic purpose, is a testament to that ongoing journey.