‘Tis that time of the year when holiday greetings traverse the postal service and the vast expanse of the internet. Among the most sought-after cards are those from the royal family, offering a glimpse into their lives and warm wishes, often shared through social media. This year, King Charles III and Queen Camilla opted for a regal snapshot from Coronation Day, adorned in crowns and royal cloaks. In contrast, the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with young royals Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte, embraced a more relaxed vibe, sporting jeans or slacks and white button-down shirts in their official family portrait.
Not to be overlooked, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent out their holiday greetings via email, given their departure from the use of their official Instagram account. The card featured a message from the couple, as well as Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation. Though lacking personal signatures from Prince Harry and Meghan, the card did bear the official royal titles in its salutation.
In an unconventional move, the Sussexes chose a photo solely featuring themselves for their 2023 holiday card, breaking away from the customary family portrait favored by the royal tradition. Notably, their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were absent, both in the image and in mention.
The selected photo, taken during the 2023 Invictus Games in September, showcased the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cheering during the closing ceremony. Against a dark green backdrop speckled with white dots, the image conveyed the message: “We wish you a very happy holiday season. Thanks for all the support in 2023!”
This departure from the norm wasn’t a first for the couple, as their 2022 holiday card also featured a snapshot of just the parents from a gala event in New York. Ironically, despite Harry and Meghan’s expressed desire for privacy and aversion to photographers, both images used in their last two cards were captured by on-the-scene photographers.
