Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, released a family holiday card marking their first American Christmas, presenting the couple with his 19-month-old son Archie, as well as his two adorable dogs.
The card is an illustration based on a photo taken by the Duchess’s mother, Doria Ragland. It was launched through the animal welfare organization Mayhew, of which Meghan has been a sponsor since early 2019.
The casual image shows Archie’s red hair, inherited from his father, and the two dogs in the family, Pula and Guy. The whole family is sitting in a backyard shed decorated for the holiday season on their new home in california.
It is Archie’s first public image since his birthday in may.
“I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”, says the card.
“The original family photo was taken at her home earlier this month by the Duchess’s mother,” a spokesman for the couple told Entertainment Tonight. “The small Christmas tree, including homemade ornaments and other decorations, has been selected by Archie, and the tree will be replanted after the holidays.”
Meghan said in a statement that her family had made a donation to Mayhew, which will go to “vital work to help dogs, cats and communities” during the coronavirus pandemic.
“This year we, as a family, made donations to various charities thinking of you,” wrote Meghan. “From a local California organization that helps families transition from homelessness to two of our sponsors in the UK: one that supports animal and community welfare and the other, a memorial fund for a dear friend who helps to educate children and fight poverty in Uganda, we honor their work on behalf of all of us. “
Last year, Meghan and Harry’s card presented a video of the newborn Archie crawling towards the camera, with his smiling parents sitting behind him. They spent the 2019 holiday season in Canada instead of at Sandringham Estate – the queen’s rural retreat, as has always been the custom of senior royalty.
Harry’s father and stepmother, Prince Charles and Camilla, also released a Christmas card last week. The sweet photo was taken in the garden of Birkhall, Scotland.
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, also released a touching family photo of the 2020 Christmas card, also with the children in the center of the stage. Prince George, 7, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 2, are seen resting on their parents while smiling widely at the camera.