Prince Harry and Meghan Unveil a Rare Photo of Their Kids and Fans Are Reminded of Princess Diana: ‘The Spencer Genes Are Strong’

Tis the season to be jolly, and for fans of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, it just got merrier. The power couple’s 2024 holiday card featured a rare sight that fans and the media cannot get enough of. For the first time, fans saw the couple’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, playing together. They shared the special holiday card on the 16th of December, 2024. What a way to spread some holiday cheer!

The heart-warming photo is one of six shots in their multi-photo greeting card. In typical children’s fashion, a photo of the Prince, 5, and Princess, 3, showed them happily running towards their parents. In the picture, which also contains the family’s three dogs, the couple are all smiles, waiting to embrace their kids. Although their faces are not visible, the children are clearly looking more grown and in excellent spirits. It’s an intimate, playful family moment shot and shared to the delight of many.

Fans Remember Diana

On social media, the couple’s fans could not get over the fact that the children have lovely ginger hair. In one look, fans immediately confirmed Prince Harry’s recent comment regarding his daughter’s long hair. “It is red, just like her brother’s,” one wrote. Another fan commented on TikTok, “Love this, and the Spencer genes are strong.” A reply to this comment reads, “Love how Princess Diana’s genes are representing, she is so much present in the Sussexes life and we love to see it.”

The card’s message on a green background says: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess Of Sussex, Archwell Productions, and Archwell Foundation.” Among other photos in the slideshow are shots of the couple from their visits to Nigeria and Columbia this year. “We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year,” reads the bottom of the card.

Fans will recall that the kids were last seen briefly in the Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan.” So, this is genuinely a once-in-a-blue-moon sighting, one that may get even rarer. As lovely as this image of the entire family may be, fans should not get used to it. Prince Harry intends to ensure his children’s lives remain private as a thoughtful way of keeping them safe. A friend revealed this to PEOPLE over the summer.

Per PEOPLE, the friend said, “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.” They described the Duke of Sussex’s desire for his kids to lead a relatively everyday life. Referencing the case of the late Princess Diana, the friend added, “As a dad and husband, Harry is determined to ensure that history doesn’t repeat itself.” 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Charity Endeavors

The couple referenced their charity organization, Archwell Foundation, in the holiday card, per an ongoing tradition. The pair created the foundation to further their philanthropic efforts, and it has done wonders for the last three years. In line with the foundation’s motto, “Show up, do good,” the couple traveled worldwide this year – doing good. In May, they traveled to Nigeria, and in August, they visited Columbia. During their visits, they furthered the foundation’s key charitable initiatives while expanding their impact in the U.S.

Related: Meghan Markle Mandates Strict ‘Curfew’ For Prince Harry: ‘She’s Going To Stick To Her Guns’

In a previous chat with People, Prince Harry said, “It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support and positive change.”