'Why' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kept their children's faces hidden in Christmas card photo amid 'threat fears'
Harry apparently doesn't want history repeating itself...Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released their 2024 Christmas card this week, and one photo featured their two children.
To mark the holidays, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released six pictures from the past year as they wished people a happy Christmas.
One picture included showed their two kids – son Archie, five, and daughter Lilibet, three, – running towards their parents, who had their arms open wide.
However, their faces weren’t in the picture and there might be a reason why.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Christmas card 2024
In the photo, Prince Harry and Meghan are seen crouching down with their arms open. Archie and Lilibet ran towards the couple, while the family’s dog also featured in the pic.
Other photos on the Christmas card included ones of Harry and Meghan from their Colombia trip in the summer.
Many fans noticed that Harry and Meghan had decided not to have their children’s faces showing on the card.
The last pictures of the children were shown in 2022, in Harry and Meghan’s Netflix series and on their Christmas card that year.
Why Harry and Meghan are hiding their children’s faces in photos
Previous reports claimed that Harry felt “reluctant” about showing his kids’ faces publicly.
An insider told PEOPLE in August: “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. As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself,” they added, referring to the tragic death of Harry’s mother Princess Diana in 1997.
Harry and Meghan now live in America with Archie and Lilibet. They moved there after stepping back from their senior royal roles in early 2020.
Archie and Lilibet photo
Alongside their Christmas card for 2024, a message from Harry and Meghan read: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundations.
“We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a joyful new year.”
Royal fans loved seeing a glimpse of Archie and Lili in one of the pictures. Many couldn’t believe how much they’ve grown.
One gushed: “What a beautiful and happy family. Lilibet is almost as tall as Archie!”
He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm.
Another said: “OMG look how big Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are.”
This year, it’s believed that the Sussexes will spend Christmas in California rather than return to the UK.
Harry’s father King Charles will apparently host Christmas for the royals at Sandringham in Norfolk.
It’s unknown whether he invited Harry and Meghan to the festivities.
What did you think of Harry and Meghan’s Christmas card? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @RoyalInsiderOfficial.
