Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Share Rare Family Photo in Shocking New Christmas Card

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised royal fans this week by releasing their 2024 Christmas card, which includes six photographs. While many of the pictures depicted the couple at charitable events, one particular photo caught the attention of fans: a shot of the couple about to hug their two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three.

Since stepping away from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to their £11 million Montecito mansion in California, the couple has been cautious about releasing photos of their young children, prioritizing their privacy. However, the family moment in the Christmas card was a rare exception, as reported by the Express.

In the chosen picture, Archie and Lilibet are seen from behind as they run to greet their parents, with Lilibet in a white and blue dress and Archie in jeans and a jumper. This carefully selected image maintains the children’s privacy, showing them only in the background, which aligns with Harry and Meghan’s ongoing desire to protect their children’s safety.

A source previously told PEOPLE: “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. He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm.”

This sentiment was echoed by Harry himself during an appearance at The New York Times DealBook Online Summit on December 4. He expressed his gratitude for living in the United States, saying: “I very much enjoy living here and bringing my kids up here. It’s a part of my life that I never thought I was going to live. I feel as though it’s the life that my mum wanted for me. To be able to do the things I’m able to do with my kids that I undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK — it’s huge. That is a fantastic opportunity and I’m hugely grateful for that.”

Meghan has also spoken about the importance of privacy for their children. In a 2022 interview with The Cut, she explained why she wouldn’t allow her son to be photographed at school in the UK: “Sorry, I have a problem with that. That doesn’t make me obsessed with privacy. That makes me a strong and good parent protecting my child.”

As for this Christmas, Archie and Lilibet are expected to spend the holiday at their Montecito home with their parents. Given the couple’s commitment to privacy, it’s unlikely that photos of the royal children will be released publicly on Christmas Day.