Kate & Wills share their sweet family Christmas card – and it's a poignant nod to their 'hardest year'

12/19/2024 09:00 AM

KATE and William have shared their sweet family Christmas card – and it’s a poignant nod to their “hardest year”.

The card shows a snap from Kate’s September video revealing she has finished chemotherapy.

The message reads: “Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas.”

Last month William said the cancer diagnoses of wife Kate and dad King Charles were "brutal", but he was "so proud" of both.

Asked on a trip to South Africa how his year has been, he replied: "Honestly? It's been dreadful.

"It's probably been the hardest year in my life."

It comes after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed a rare new image of their kids Archie and Lilibet.

The picture is included among other snaps on the couple’s annual Christmas card, which showcases highlights from their year.

Meghan and Harry are shown in the outdoors about to hug Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as their son and daughter run into their arms.

The couple have rarely exposed their children to the limelight and in the image their faces are not shown as Lilibet, three, approaches her father while five-year-old Archie sprints to his mother.

It appears the couple, who stepped down as working royals and moved to California in 2020, may be in a park as their three dogs are in the picture.

Six images are featured with the card, sent by email, which has the message: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year.”

The card is intended for professional use by the couple and their team, with the Sussexes sending a separate card to their close family and friends which will remain private.

The images are thought to reflect the couple’s year, with one picture showing Meghan embracing a young girl while in another Harry puts his arm around his wife.

Another picture shows the couple laughing while sitting in a row of people, the fifth is at an outdoor event with the Sussexes wearing sunglasses and smiling, and in the final picture the duke clasps hands with a man lying in a bed.

A message on the card itself reads: “We wish you a very Happy Holiday Season and a joyful New Year.”

It comes after William revealed he will sit down with 45 relatives this Christmas.

He said they will be "spread out" all in one room, adding: "No way am I ready!”

The Prince of Wales, 42, chatted with the Mercian Regiment at the Bulford Camp in Wiltshire.

As colonel-in-chief, Wills met soldiers and their families, dished out presents and enjoyed lunch.

Meanwhile, Lissie Harper, the widow of slain PC Andrew, was yesterday given a new Elizabeth Emblem medal by King Charles for public servants killed in the line of duty.

Asked about his Royal Family Christmas plans, he revealed hopes for long walks with the family dog as they spend the festive period in Norfolk.

William asked five-year-old Alexander Fitzgerald what he wanted for Christmas.

His dad Sgt Lee Fitzgerald, 39, said afterwards: “He said he wanted a Nintendo Switch and when they spoke about playing Mario Kart William said he was supposed to let your dad win sometimes.”

All servicemen and their families wore Christmas jumpers to the bash.

Ten-year-old Isobelle McNeil and her younger brother Hunter, 5, handed William a Father Christmas hat present and Christmas card written to George, Charlotte and Louis.

Mum Fiona Dewar McNeil said: “William asked what Father Christmas was going to bring for him and Hunter said he was going to get a big Tyrannosaurus Rex.

“He said ‘I hope all your dreams come true’.”

Seven-year-old Sanganoo Kejhan also handed William a hand-made Christmas card.

Dylan Potter, 14, made William laugh after revealing he was wearing two Christmas jumpers.

He said afterwards: “I asked what does a prince do for fun?

“He said he likes watching movies and hanging out with his children but because he is over 40 finds fun hard to come by.”

William also revealed, while chatting to families, that he has been watching Netflix with Kate including ‘Black Doves’ starring Kiera Knightley.