The festive season is upon us, and the Royal Family is keeping up with the tradition of sharing their annual Christmas cards.
Following the recent releases from the Prince and Princess of Wales and King Charles and Camilla, all eyes are now on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as they reveal their heartwarming holiday greetings.
In a departure from the more formal royal portraits, the Duke and Duchess chose a candid snap taken at the 2023 Invictus Games’ closing ceremony, which was held in Düsseldorf, Germany in September.
The Sussexes beamed with joy in the snap. Meghan appeared radiant in a green strapless dress adorned with laser-cut flowers. Meanwhile, Harry sported a sleek black suit paired with a black dress shirt, showcasing a sharp and stylish look that perfectly complemented Meghan’s elegance.
“We wish you a very happy holiday season. Thanks for all the support in 2023!”, the couple wrote.
Harry and Meghan’s Christmas card follows shortly after the Prince and Princess of Wales and King Charles and Queen Camilla released their own festive greetings, each capturing a sense of regal elegance.
Charles and Queen Camilla spread holiday cheer with this year’s majestic Christmas card featuring a formal photograph taken at Buckingham Palace on the day of their Coronation, May 6, 2023.
The elegant image captures the royal couple in the throne room, adorned in their Coronation regalia. King Charles wears the Imperial State Crown, Robe of Estate, and Coronation Tunic, while Queen Camilla dons Queen Mary’s Crown, Robe of Estate, and a stunning dress by Bruce Oldfield.
“Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year,” the card reads.
The formal image differed noticeably from the Prince and Princess of Wales’ more laid-back family group photo that warmed hearts across the globe
The recently released photo, taken by Josh Shinner earlier this year, shows the couple posing with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
The family of five is dressed in matching button-down shirts. Kate and Charlotte wear jeans, while William, George, and Louis coordinate in dark pants. Charlotte and Louis sport matching canvas sneakers. The picture is completed with William and Kate each with an arm around their sons, and Charlotte taking centre stage in a chair.
“Our family Christmas card for 2023,” the Prince and Princess wrote.
Despite the warm sentiments shared through these annual holiday cards, the persistent undercurrent of tension between the Sussexes and the Royal Family unfortunately remains ongoing.
The feud between Harry and the Royal Family stems largely from the bombshell interview Harry and Meghan gave to Oprah Winfrey in March 2021 after stepping away from royal duties. In the interview, the Sussexes made shocking allegations of racism within the Royal Family and accused some members of not offering support during their struggles. These revelations shook the Monarchy to its core and had a profound impact on relations within the family.
They added further fuel to the fire with a Netflix documentary where they laid bare their grievances which included being unable to contend with relentless media scrutiny and the lack of support from other members of the royal camp.
Although there have been brief moments of public unity at official events, the rift remains largely unresolved.
One can’t help but hope that the spirit of the season might serve as a catalyst for reconciliation.