Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Ring in the Holidays With Family Photo

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With love, the Sussexes.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released a new family photo featuring their children, 6-year-old Archie and 4-year-old Lilibet, to celebrate the holidays.

“Happy holidays!” Meghan captioned the Dec. 19 Instagram post. “From our family to yours.”

Oh my gosh, the new photo is EVERYTHING! It’s the sweetest thing ever – Meghan, Harry, Archie, and little Lili all on this tiny, rustic bridge in the woods. Meghan is just completely devoted, leaning down and holding Lili’s hands, nuzzling her head against her little one’s soft, strawberry blonde hair. You can barely see Lili’s face, but it doesn’t even matter! Lili is wearing the most adorable baby blue sundress with little silver shoes and the cutest knee-high white socks. And Meghan? She looks amazing in a simple white wrap dress and black sandals. Seriously, this family is just perfect! I can’t stop looking at it!

Archie is hugging Harry around the waist while Harry gently touches his son’s face. Both father and son are wearing similar outfits: dark blue jeans and light-colored shirts.

This year’s holiday card featured a previously unseen family photo, and followed Meghan’s announcement of a new tradition she’s begun with her children.

Meghan shared that she wanted to create an advent calendar for her children because she loves the tradition. As she explained in her Netflix special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, it’s all about enjoying a small, happy surprise each day leading up to Christmas – little gestures, not expensive gifts.

Keeping that idea in mind, the former Suits actor decided to write personalized notes for Archie and Lili to open every day before the holiday.

I’ve been writing little notes, things like ‘I love you because you’re so kind,’ and ‘I love you because you’re so brave,’ you know? It’s just… I’m trying to make every day of the month feel special as the year ends, really soak it all in. But honestly, you don’t have to go overboard, just little things!

Meghan saw the new advent calendars as the start of a cherished holiday tradition for her children, something she hopes they’ll enjoy every year.

She expressed hope that this would last for many years, explaining that every tradition starts somewhere.

Keep reading for more of Meghan and Harry’s quotes about parenthood…

He explained to Sky News in 2015 that you can’t rush things like starting a family, and it will happen naturally when the time is right. When asked if his niece, Princess Charlotte’s birth, made him consider settling down, he said he definitely wanted children, but there were steps you had to take.

Years ago, Meghan treated herself to a Cartier French Tank watch thinking about her future daughter. She remembered that after learning the show Suits was renewed for a third season—a big moment at the time—she decided to splurge on the two-tone watch. She had it engraved with ‘To M.M. From M.M.’ and intends to give it to her daughter someday, as she told Hello! magazine in 2015.

Prince Harry has often been asked about becoming a father, a topic frequently linked to his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana. He’s admitted to having mixed feelings about it over the years. In a 2016 interview with People magazine, shortly before he met Meghan Markle, he said there were times he really wanted children, especially while traveling, but also times when he wasn’t so sure and felt no need to rush. He even confessed to being discouraged by the idea at times.

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement in 2017, they did a joint interview where they talked about having children. Harry said they hoped to start a family soon, and Meghan smiled in agreement.

Meghan described becoming a mother after Archie was born as ‘magic.’ She added that she felt incredibly lucky to have her two wonderful sons.

After Archie was born in May 2019, Harry shared how incredibly happy he was, saying it was the most amazing experience of his life. He expressed deep admiration for mothers and thanked everyone for their love and support, adding that he and Meghan were overjoyed and wanted to share their happiness with the world.

During a 2019 speech at the National Youth Mentoring Summit, Harry spoke about what becoming a parent had taught him. He emphasized the significant impact of role models, even those who don’t realize they’re influencing someone. He explained that these individuals inspire others to be better people and achieve more. Harry connected this idea to his own experience as a father, realizing his son is constantly learning from his actions and will likely follow his example.

In 2020, Prince Harry explained that his child is his top priority, followed closely by his work. He and his wife are committed to doing everything they can to contribute to a better world.

Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Harry and Meghan found a positive side: more quality time with their son, Archie. Meghan explained in October 2020 that without the pandemic, they would have been busy traveling and working, and would have missed out on seeing Archie grow up. She described it as a valuable period of family togetherness.

Harry shared that they were present for all of Archie’s important milestones – his first steps, when he started running, and even his first tumbles.

In May 2021, Meghan appeared on TV for a special event called VAX Live, hosted by Global Citizen. During the show, she talked about being pregnant and how happy she and her husband were to be expecting a daughter. She shared, “We’re so excited to welcome our daughter and feel the same joy as millions of other families.” She also expressed hope that her daughter would grow up with the opportunity and encouragement to help lead the world.

She explained that the future success of our leaders – and all of us – relies on the choices we make today and the steps we take to build a fair and caring future.

Meghan briefly appears in an episode of her husband Prince Harry’s Apple TV+ series, co-created with Oprah Winfrey, called The Me You Can’t See. While on screen, she seemed to honor her children by wearing a shirt with the message, “Raising the Future.”

The couple recently announced the birth of their daughter. In a message on their Archewell Foundation website, they shared their joy, saying they welcomed their baby girl, Lili, on June 4th. They expressed immense gratitude for the overwhelming love and support they’ve received from around the world and thanked everyone for their kindness during this special time for their family.

Oh my gosh, you guys, I’m SO excited! Meghan is releasing a children’s book called The Bench on June 8th, and it’s seriously the sweetest thing ever. It’s all about celebrating dads, but from a mom’s point of view, which is just… perfect. She actually said it started as a poem she wrote for Harry on Father’s Day, just a month after little Archie was born! Can you even imagine? A personal poem turned into a beautiful story for everyone to enjoy? I’m already pre-ordering like, five copies!

In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer in October 2021, Meghan explained why she supported paid parental leave in the U.S. She described feeling both incredibly happy and a little overwhelmed when her daughter was born, especially because the COVID-19 pandemic was still disrupting normal life at hospitals and schools.

Unlike many new parents, we didn’t face the difficult decision of returning to work shortly after our baby was born. We were fortunate enough to be able to stay home with her during those important first months, fully focusing on our children and family. This meant we didn’t have to struggle with tough choices about childcare, work, and healthcare – choices many parents deal with daily.

Meghan explained that no family should ever have to make such difficult choices. She believes families shouldn’t be forced to choose between working to support themselves and being able to care for a child, family member, or even their own health – something a comprehensive paid leave program would address.

In April 2022, Harry explained on TODAY that it was very difficult to balance parenting with working from home.

He mentioned that Archie interrupts their Zoom calls more than anyone. He also added that Archie joins the calls frequently, which is positive.

Harry realized he was already recognizing his own playful wit in his son. “I make a point of holding onto that,” he explained. “I think a bit of mischievousness is what keeps you feeling young and vibrant.”

Meghan admitted she was concerned for her—and everybody else’s—kids in the age of social media.

During a talk in October 2023 at the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit—focused on mental wellness in the digital age as part of Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day—she shared that being a mother is the most important part of her life, second only to her role as a wife to Harry.

She continued, saying she feels lucky her children are still young, so this issue isn’t something they’re facing right now. However, she’s also worried about how things are changing and knows they’ll eventually have to deal with it.

As a parent, Meghan observed how quickly time passes, saying, ‘The days feel long, but the years fly by.’ She also pointed out that everyone is impacted by the internet and social media, and that ultimately, we all simply want to feel secure.

During a visit to Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria in May 2024, Meghan told a class of kindergarteners about her daughter, Lili. She explained that Lili is very small and will soon be three years old. Meghan shared a sweet moment when Lili recently looked at her and realized she could see her own reflection, saying, ‘Mama, I see me in you!’

Meghan explained that the other person was being very direct. However, Meghan interpreted those words differently and felt a strong connection, thinking, ‘Yes, we truly understand each other.’

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2025-12-19 19:52