Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Archie And Lilibet Have Released Their First Christmas Photo Together

Along with the Kardashian family, the royal family’s Christmas cards are as much of a festive tradition as brandy cream on mince pies.

For decades, members of the British Monarchy have released cards and photographs to celebrate the season.

From the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s royal wedding photos, family snaps of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, through to childhood photos of Prince William with his parents Prince Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, the family have delighted generations of royal fans with their adorable portraits.

Here are the best royal family Christmas cards over the years:

Photographer Alex Lubomirski, who took the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding photos, has shared a photo of them with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, ahead of Christmas.

'This is one of those rare and special projects, that one is fortunate enough to be a part of,' he captioned the snap, which gives royal fans a first glimpse at Lili since she was born in June, and a rare look at Archie, who seemingly has bright red hair just like his dad.

'To be able to continue the story of this family whom I first photographed as an engaged couple, then on the day of their wedding, as a married couple and now seeing their love manifest into two beautiful children, has been a delightful honour.'

He concluded his post: 'This day with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was one such joyous experience, and one that I feel extremely privileged to have been invited to capture.'

We can't stop staring at this photo.

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Prince Charles and Camilla shared a picture of their Christmas card for 2021, nestled between the ferns of their Christmas tree. Inside the card royal fans will see a note that reads 'Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year' and a picture of the couple struggling with their face masks at the races.

'As the countdown to Christmas begins, today we’re sharing this year’s official Christmas card from The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall,' the Instagram post's caption reads.

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The Cambridges released a photo of their family ahead of Christmas, noting on Instagram: 'Delighted to share a new image of the family, which features on this year’s Christmas card.[sic]'

Days later, we spotted several 'hidden' details in the snap. Firstly the family colour coordinated, wearing shades of green and blue. Meanwhile, Prince George and Prince Luis wear adorable T-shirts - the eldest brother is dressed in a khaki camouflage top, which could be liked to his family's military career, and the youngest tot wears a near identical blue and white striped top to the one worn by Prince George during his visit to Australia in 2014.

Kate also wears a gold necklace with a charm in the shape of an Arabic coffee pot or 'dallah', as it's otherwise known.

Elsewhere, the parents enjoy a rare moment of PDA in the photo, placing their hands on each other's laps.

The photo is believed to have been taken in Jordan, which holds a special place in the family's heart. Kate spent several years of her childhood in Jordan as a result of her father Michael Middleton's work.

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The London-based animal welfare charity Mayhew shared a Christmas card on Instagram from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their son Archie on Tuesday December 23.

In the illustrated card, the couple can be seen playing with their son - who now looks to have red hair like his dad - in the garden and a Wendy house of what is presumed to be their Montecito home, surrounded by their dogs Guy and Pula. The card is a drawing of a photograph taken by Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, earlier this month, according to The Daily Mail.

The charity, for which Meghan is a patron and sponsored a dog in Archie's name earlier this year, thanked the royals for their card and noted that the family had made a 'personal donation' to the organisation ahead of the festive period.

'Such a beautiful family,' one Instagram user commented on the snap. Another added: 'Love the card.'

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On December 16, the Cambridge family released their Christmas card for 2020. Taken by photographer Matt Porteous this Autumn, the image features the family dressed in warm winter clothes sitting on a hay stack in front of a lot of a wood fire logs. The picture was captured in the gardens of their Norfolk residence, Anmer Hall.

Just look at adorable giggling Louis!

On the same day the Cambridges released their Christmas card for 2020, so too did Prince William's father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

Taken by a member of their staff earlier this Autumn, the married couple of 15 years smile while sat on a bench in the picturesque flower-filled garden of Birkhall in Scotland, Charles and Camilla's Scottish residence in the Balmoral estate.

The couple shared their latest Christmas card photo on 20 December on their social media platforms.

The image sees the couple driving along in a car in Havana, Cuba earlier in 2019.

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Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty CBE shared a photograph of a card she received from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge which features a family photo of the five royals.

In the photo, William sits on a motorbike with Louis between his legs, while Charlotte and George stand in a sidecar. Kate, dressed in a blue Boden dress, stands alongside her famous family.

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The family of five posed together at Anmer Hall, Norfolk for this adorable family snap, taken by photographer Matt Porteous. The photograph marked the first occasion Prince Louis appeared in a family Christmas photo since his birth on 23 April 2017.

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The newlyweds shared a black-and-white photograph on Instagram, taken by Chris Allerton, to celebrate the festive period. In the snap, the couple look on at a firework display at Frogmore House following their wedding in May 2018, with the Duchess of Sussex dressed in a halterneck Stella McCartney gown.

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The couple sit together on a bench and look lovingly into each other's eyes.

Blue was the theme of the day in this sweet family photo, with the then family of four posing in light blue attire for the Christmas photo. The snap was sent out months before the royals welcomed Prince Louis into the fold.

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One royal fan shared a photograph of this family photo on her Instagram account. The snap sees Prince William carrying his son, Prince George, while Princess Charlotte looks on in wonder at a balloon artist, while carried by Kate Middleton.

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Clarence House released this photo on 10 December 2016, which was taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson during the couple's royal tour of Croatia.

The proud parents posed for this photograph taken at Kensington Palace with their two youngest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

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This adorable snap was taken by a friend in Scotland during the couple's family holiday and later shared at Christmas time.

The snap sees Camilla and Prince Charles laughing during the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony on 10 September 10, 2014.

The Duke and Duchess were captured in this candid picture on second day of Royal Ascot in June 2013 while viewing horses in the parade ring from the Royal Box.

Taken in 2012, the royals can be seen waving to onlookers with the Christmas card message reading: 'Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.'

Prince Charles and Camilla chose this sweet family photograph, taken at their wedding in April 2005, for their Christmas card. The photograph features Prince Harry, Prince William, and their step-sister Laura and step-brother Tom Parker Bowles. It was taken in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

The family pose for a Christmas photo with the young boys wearing matching blue polo shirts. The card is signed by Charles and Diana.

This sweet photo sees the couple in matching white ensembles, with William leaning on his father's knee and Harry sitting between his parents. In the snap, Diana wears a white maxi dress with a green pattern.

The family are seen looking at Prince Edward, who was 1-year-old at the time the photo was taken. The image was shared by the royal family later that year ahead of Christmas.

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The family of four pose on the steps of Buckingham Palace in this black-and-white photograph, which was later shared inside their Christmas card.

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This card was signed by the then Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) to the Grenadier Guards regiment of the British Army during World War II.