Harry and Meghan's Christmas card sparks wild conspiracy over Archie and Lilibet

The Sussexes have released their Christmas card for 2024, featuring a very rare photo of their children Archie and Lilibet. But some conspiracy theorists have taken issue with the image

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Christmas card has delighted fans as it shows a new photo of Archie and Lilibet, but it's already caused a conspiracy frenzy.

The image - one of six in the multi-photo greeting - shows the children from behind as they excitedly run toward their parents. It's the first time that Archie and Lilibet have been seen in years, and now the excitement has boiled over into wild unfounded claims about the snaps.

Many were quick to note how grown up the pair look in the picture, which also includes the family's three dogs. Meghan can be seen smiling towards Archie, five, while Harry is squatting down to greet three-year-old Lilibet, who has red hair, just like her older brother.

However, baseless speculation about the image has already started to run rife online after the family festive card was shared. A number of conspiracy theorists have claimed to have found various ways the image could have been manipulated and have questioned the depiction of the children.

"The only one in focus is Meghan. Fake photo," one person wrote on X, while a second said: "Archie doesn't look like he's grown in well over a year, and the daughter looks like she's his height now."

A third person wrote: "How is Lily [Lilibet] as tall as Archie? Where is the hair Lily can almost sit on?" seemingly referencing a a reference to a previous comment made by Meghan about her daughter's hair length.

Another X user made bizarre claims about a "digitally altered outline" around Meghan and even suggested the dogs were "superimposed" at a later date. "The grass & leaves all look fake. Dogs aren't acknowledging the kids at all or engaged. Mine would be in their faces," they claimed.

The editing claims have since been firmly debunked by Photoshop experts, with one telling the Mail Online that the photo looks genuine.

The picture appears to have been taken on the grounds of the Sussexes' Montecito, California home, and is the children's first 'official' photo since their royal portraits were released, each a year after they were born.

Archie and Lilibet were last seen when they were briefly shown in the couple's docuseries Harry & Meghan, which debuted on Netflix in December 2022.

In a message to accompany their Christmas card, Harry and Meghan wrote: "On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation. The montage featured five other shots of Harry and Meghan during their trips to Nigeria and Colombia this year. "We wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful new year."

It's thought that while this card is meant for professional use, the family has sent a separate, private card to their close friends and family, which will not be shared publicly.

Earlier this year, a friend told People: "Harry has been reluctant to show his children publicly, not out of a desire to hide them but to protect their privacy and safety from potential threats. He wants them to lead as normal a life as possible without the fear of kidnapping or harm."