The Duke and Duchess of Sussex included their kids front and center in this year’s holiday card

By
Janine Henni

Janine Henni

Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital, covering modern monarchies and the world’s most famous families. Like Queen Elizabeth, she loves horses and a great tiara moment.

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and
Erin Hill

Updated on December 16, 2024 02:51PM EST

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are spreading cheer this holiday season with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

On Dec. 16, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled their 2024 holiday card, featuring a new picture of their kids, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3. The shot — one of six in the multi-photo greeting — captures the children from behind as they excitedly run toward their parents.

Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet look more grown up than ever in the image, which includes the family’s three dogs. The card show Meghan smiling towards Archie and Harry squatting to greet Lili, confirming his recent comments about her long hair — red, just like her older brother’s.

“On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation,” the card’s message said on a deep green background. The montage featured five other shots of Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, during their trips to Nigeria and Colombia this year. “We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.Emmanuel Osodi/Anadolu via Getty; Archewell

It’s a rare glimpse of the kids, who were last seen when they were briefly shown in the couple’s docuseries Harry & Meghan, which debuted on Netflix in December 2022.

PEOPLE understands that while this card is meant for professional use, the family has sent a separate, private card to their close friends and family, which will not be shared publicly.

Over the summer, a friend told PEOPLE that Harry was eager to keep his children’s lives private to protect them.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.Archewell

“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. He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm,” the friend said.

“As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself,” the friend added, referring to the fate of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana.

This year, the couple continued tradition by including The Archewell Foundation in their season’s greetings. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex established the charity as a vehicle for their philanthropic work in 2020, and have involved Archewell in the release of their holiday card for the last three years.