Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Archie share new family photo from California on Christmas card

Picture was taken by Meghan’s mother, Doria

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have shared a new family photo on their bespoke Christmas cards.

Featuring the couple, their 19-month-old son Archie, and their two dogs, the card has the appearance of a painting but was based on a photograph taken by Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, at what is thought to be their California home.

It pictures the family gathered around a play house with a festive twist – a miniature Christmas tree is set in front of it, decorated with ornaments picked out by Archie.

“The original photo of the family was taken at their home earlier this month by the duchess’s mother,” said a spokesperson for the Sussexes.

“The small Christmas tree, including the homemade ornaments and other decorations, were selected by Archie, and the tree will be replanted after the holidays.”

Inside the card, the message read: “This year we, as a family, have made donations to several charities with you in mind.

”From a local California organisation that helps families transition out of homelessness, to two of our UK patronages: one that supports animal and community welfare, and the other, a memorial fund for a cherished friend that helps to educate children and fight poverty in Uganda, we have honoured their work on behalf of all of us.“

The animal welfare charity mentioned in the message, Mayhew, shared a picture of the card on social media and thanked the Duchess for her “personal donation, helping dogs, cats and our community.”  

”We are delighted to have the Duchess of Sussex as our patron, and she has shone a huge light on our community-based animal welfare work over the last two years,” said Caroline Yates, Mayhew's CEO.

“We were especially honoured to recently receive a personal donation from the Duke and Duchess, which will enable us to help even more cats, dogs and pet owners in need over this tough winter period.”

It follows the news that the Sussexes’ non-profit, the Archewell foundation, has partnered with World Central Kitchen to build relief centres that will feed people in disaster-stricken areas.

The permanent structures, built with an undisclosed financial commitment from the Archewell foundation, will be activated during times of crisis, such as natural disasters, to “act as quickly-activated service kitchens,” according to a spokesperson for Archewell.