Kaylah Walton
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have captivated their followers with a festive card showcasing their children, Archie and Lilibet. As is typical with the Sussexes, this has sparked a flurry of conspiracy theories on social media.
This card features one image where the kids are seen running joyfully towards their parents. Notably, this marks the first appearance of Archie and Lilibet in years, triggering considerable excitement and some dubious claims about the images, as reported by the British media outlet The Mirror.
Viewers also noted how the couple appears more mature in this picture, which includes their three dogs.
In the image, Meghan smiles at five-year-old Archie, while Harry kneels to greet three-year-old Lilibet, who has red hair.
Speculations on Image Manipulation
However, the release of this family holiday card has led to some outlandish theories regarding the image’s authenticity.
Numerous theories suggest the photo might have been altered, sparking questions about how the children are depicted.
This specific photo is one out of six selected for the Sussexes’ 2024 Christmas card.
“The only clear figure is Meghan. It’s a staged photo,” noted one social media user, while another remarked, “Archie appears not to have grown over the past year, and Lilibet now seems his height.”
A third comment questioned, “How can Lily be as tall as Archie? Where’s the hair that was described as almost sitting on?” referencing Meghan’s prior remarks about their daughter’s lengthy hair.
Another user alleged a “digitally modified outline” surrounding Meghan and suggested that the dogs were added later, stating, “The grass and leaves seem artificial. My dogs would definitely react differently if they were around.”
Subsequently, these editing allegations have been disproved by Photoshop specialists. One expert told the Mail Online that the image appears authentic.
The photograph seems to have been taken at the Sussexes’ residence in Montecito, California, marking the first official image of the children since their royal portraits were released, which occurred a year after each child’s birth.
Archie and Lilibet were last spotted in the couple’s documentary series Harry & Meghan, which premiered on Netflix in December 2022.
