'What happened to family Christmas greetings?' Internet fumes as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry leave Archie and Lilibet out of 2023 holiday card

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's annual holiday card was heavily criticized as it lacked their children Archie, 4, and Lilibet, 2. 

The 2023 holiday card, which the couple shared via email on Friday, December 15, contains a photo of just the two of them alongside a message wishing supporters a happy holiday season, as reported by Page Six.

No sign of Archie or Lilibet in Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's 2023 holiday card

The holiday card features a glamorous photo of the Duke and Duchess taken at the 2023 Invictus Games, where Harry was delivering a speech. Behind them is a blurry background of what appears to be the event venue.

The focus is entirely on the couple, who are dressed up nicely and smiling at the camera. There's no sign of little Archie or Lilibet anywhere in the photo or video that accompanies the card.

"On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. We wish you a very happy holiday season. Thanks for all the support in 2023," read the card. 

It also links to a video highlighting the couple’s charitable work over 2023 set to the song 'Happy Place'. The Archewell Foundation statement with the card focuses on their commitment to "community building" for "mental wellness."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have previously kept their children out of holiday cards

While the omission of Archie and Lilibet grabbed attention, this isn't the first time that Meghan and Harry have chosen to keep their kids out of their holiday card photo.

2022's card also featured just the two of them, with a black-and-white picture from an event in New York City.

It read, "Wishing you a joyful holiday season. From our family to yours, and on behalf of our teams at The Archewell Foundation, Archewell Audio, and Archewell Productions, we wish you health, peace, and a very happy new year."

However, in 2021, they did introduce 6-month-old Lilibet to the world through their holiday card. That photo featured a casually dressed Harry and Meghan with Archie and baby Lili at their home in California.

Their message read, "This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a ‘Mama’ and a ‘Papa,’ and Lili made us a family."

They added, "As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families – from those being relocated from Afghanistan, to American families in need of paid parental leave." 

Internet reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2023 holiday card

Critics swiftly pounced on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 2023 holiday card, expressing disappointment at the absence of their children.

One lamented, "No children, no family, no friends. The biggest losers of 2023."

Another questioned, "Is this their Christmas card? Where the hell are the kids?"

Expressing a longing for the traditional family-themed greetings, a user wondered, "What happened to family Christmas greetings? I guess that’s the office one but do they have a personal one??"

Someone else quipped, "Ahhh, I love how they’ve made it all about family and the season of goodwill to all men rather than making it all about themselves, so humble!"

"Christmas is all about Children. Where are theirs?" opined a netizen. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.