Prince Harry and Meghan Markle reportedly have a 'secret' other Christmas card after sharing a series of new photos with fans.
On Monday (16 December), the Duke and Duchess of Sussex sent out a card for the festive period featuring six snaps with one seeing the likes of Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, making an appearance.
The card's message reads: "On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation.
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"We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year."
Archie and Lilibet were last seen by the public during a brief appearance in the couple's Harry & Meghan docuseries, which landed on Netflix back in 2022 - hence why so many were stunned by just how 'tall' they looked two years on.
Since the Netflix series, the Sussexes have kept their children's faces shielded, with the family's last two holiday photos simply showing parents Harry and Meghan.
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It's since emerged, according to the Mirror, that the card is only intended for professional use by the couple and their team.
"Harry and Meghan are also sending a separate card to their close friends and family, which may feature a different snap of the family - but it will remain private," the outlet adds.
According to a close friend of the Sussexes, the reason why Harry and Meghan previously didn't include their children in Christmas cards before was to 'protect their privacy'.
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They told People: "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."
Referring to Princess Diana's tragic passing, the friend added: "As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself."
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The same royal source also suggested that the royal duo actually do send a separate Christmas card to their nearest and dearest, which likely features a more personalised image of their children.
Harry previously revealed what concerned him the most in life was 'worrying that would happen to me, or to my wife, or to my kids', referencing his mother's 1997 death in Paris as paparazzi chased her car through the French city.
Explaining his decision to stay in the US, he shared: "I very much enjoy living here and bringing my kids up here."
He added that his American life, free of royal responsibilities, feels 'as though it’s the life my mum wanted' for him.
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Explaining that he and Meghan, alongside their children, are afforded a level of privacy in the US, as well as a life of activities they 'undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK' due to security concerns.
Harry says that his focus for now is on 'being the best husband and the best dad that I can be'.
Tyla has reached out to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's representatives for comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Christmas, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Royal Family, UK News, Parenting
Rhiannon Ingle