The couple married in 2018 and stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020. Since their wedding, they have released an official Christmas card every year, bringing the total to eight festive messages so far.
A Family-Focused Card in Recent Years
Last year’s card stood out as particularly meaningful, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex included their two children and their dogs in the image. It marked the first public appearance in years of six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet.
Even so, Harry and Meghan chose to photograph their children from behind. Archie and Lilibet were shown running into their parents’ arms, while the family’s three dogs stood on either side on the grounds of their Montecito home.
A Festive Video Instead of a Traditional Card
This year followed a similar approach, though with a fresh twist. Rather than releasing a traditional card, the couple opted to share a festive video clip.
The video, posted on their charity’s website, is a compilation of moments from the past year. It includes footage of both Meghan and Harry taking part in humanitarian work, as well as spending time caring for their children.
In one segment, Archie and Lilibet appear alongside their parents during a surprise visit to help prepare meals for the local community. The outing formed part of Archewell’s partnership with Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA), with the children seen making food and pushing trolleys.
The message accompanying the video 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.”
A Major Change for Archewell
It wasn’t just the content of the Christmas clip that caught attention. Shortly before its release, the couple announced a name change for their organisation.
To mark its fifth anniversary, Harry and Meghan revealed that the organisation would now be known as Archewell Philanthropies, replacing its former name, the Archewell Foundation.
According to People, the organisation explained the decision by saying: “This next chapter allows Prince Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, 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.”
The Christmas video was also signed using the organisation’s new name.
Royal Christmas Cards Across the Family
Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla shared their own Christmas card on 7 December.
This year, the King and Queen selected a portrait taken in April to commemorate their 20th wedding anniversary. The image shows Charles and Camilla standing side by side, with the Queen linking her arm through the King’s, in the gardens of Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome.
The photograph appears inside the card with a dark red border, while the message printed in a matching colour on the opposite side reads: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”
