Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Christmas card left King Charles’ former butler stunned after he noticed key differences between it and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s
A former royal staff member says he was surprised by a “strange” detail in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Christmas card, compared to that of Kate Middleton and Prince William. The Sussexes’ festive photo featured Prince Harry tenderly holding Prince Archie’s face, while Meghan was seen clasping Princess Lilibet’s hands.
This came just hours after the Prince and Princess of Wales released their family’s 2025 card – a snapshot taken earlier this year.
In the Cambridge’s picture, Kate and William were seen sitting with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on the grass in Norfolk. Both photos unsurprisingly caused quite a stir online upon their release.
Now, Grant Harrold, who served the then Prince Charles from 2004 to 2011 and has had ample experience meeting Princes William and Harry, has shared his thoughts.
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, he expressed his surprise at the Sussexes’ decision to once again not show their children’s faces in the photo.
He elaborated: “Meghan and Harry have kept the royal tradition of sending a Christmas card with a family photo on the front, which is of course a big American tradition as well. They’ve cherry picked the traditions they want to keep from royal life, keeping the ones that work for them.
“However I find this year’s photo a bit strange. They don’t want to show their children’s faces, and I completely understand their choice to keep their children’s faces out of the spotlight. However I think it just comes across a bit odd in this picture. Again, they’re kind of sitting in the middle. Why send out a photo of your children if you don’t want them to be seen? For me, it doesn’t make sense.”
Meghan and Harry have made a deliberate effort to shield their children from public attention, which frequently results in concealing their faces in photographs and footage.
The image stands in “sharp contrast” to the Wales’ “very traditional” photograph, according to Grant. He added: “It’s a proud family photo. Their picture oozes confidence, while Meghan and Harry’s still looks a bit off in my opinion.
“The only similarity between the photos is their choice of an outdoor setting. Again, this is very normal for royal Christmas cards, however I think it’s also symbolic as both families love being outside. Kate has spoken regularly about the benefits of spending time outdoors, and Meghan has also spoken of her love of being in her garden.”
Grant also highlighted a “sad difference” between the two brothers’ cards, considering who he believes will receive them. He further commented: “To my understanding, Kate and William’s Christmas card list still includes friends they’ve held close for years and years – I bet a lot of the names I knew from my time working with them are still on the list. However, Prince Harry has parted with so many of his friends so I doubt he’ll be in touch with them this Christmas.”
