Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spark theory amongst fans after sharing rare photo of Archie and Lilibet

There's nothing the royal family love more than a group photo - including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who released their 2024 Christmas card earlier this week.

Unusually, however, the Sussexes have since left their followers somewhat baffled, with countless questions since having arisen about their children's involvement in the questionable festive snap.

The couple's latest photo marks the first time that their children - five-year-old son Archie and three-year-old daughter Lilibet - have been photographed in three years.

Seemingly taken on the grounds of their Montecito, California home, it is also the kids' first somewhat 'official' photo since their royal portraits were released, each a year after they were born.

Harry, Meghan and Archie fled to the States in 2020 after resigning from their royal duties.

The years that followed not only saw baby Lilibet be born in America, but it saw the couple explicitly distance themselves from the monarchy, with Harry releasing a book condemning his family's treatment of his US-born wife.

The duo also claimed they'd made the move overseas to escape the mistreatment they'd endured from the British tabloid press, insisting they'd prefer a more private life than they were afforded in the UK.

With the latter wish in mind, Harry and Meghan have only made very select public appearances, and have chosen to keep their children's faces hidden.

The photo of the Sussexes and their children was released earlier this week (Archwell Foundation)

This is why both Archie and Lilibet are only pictured from the back in the Sussex's new Christmas card snap, which was released via their Archewell Foundation yesterday (16 Dec).

It forms part of a collage, alongside other pictures of the former royal couple taking part in charity work.

The couple wrote below: "On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, we wish you a very happy holiday season, and a joyful new year."

As we say, however, some aspects of the photo have left viewers filled with queries, including many about Lilibet's appearance.

Summarising the confusion, one X user re-shared the pic online, captioning it: "So Harry and Meghan’s new Xmas card! How is Lily as tall as Archie?"

Referencing mum Meghan's previous comment about her little girl's hair length - which was supposedly so extreme that the child could sit on it - the social media user added: "Where is the hair Lily can almost sit on? Who thought this scene with such OBVIOUS staging was a good idea.

"More questions? And go!"

Lilibet's last royal portrait was in 2022, which was taken a year after she was born (PA)

And naturally, countless other queries flooded in.

"Why is her arm so long?", one asked about Lilibet.

"Great point, and her legs are turned in a different direction from her body. It’s all very odd," another added.

A third noted generally: "Does he have a backpack on or is backwards why is there a black striped part . Also the grass & leaves all look fake. Dogs aren’t acknowledging the kids at all or engaged. Mine would be in their faces."

As another continued: "Why is the black dog standing on pointe? Does it do ballet? Why is one child dressed in summer clothes and the other in a fleece jacket? Why does the girl look nearer 5 years old?"

While one simply confessed: "I simply don't believe this is a real photo. I never will unless/until we see the kids in person."