First look at baby Lilibet: Harry and Meghan release Christmas card showing their baby daughter and even reveal Archie's face
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have finally shared the first photo of their daughter Lilibet Diana, six months after she was born.
The cute family image shows Meghan holding up their giggling daughter, while smiling Harry looks on with his arm around their two-year-old son in the portrait by Alexi Lubomirski, who shot the couple's engagement photos and the official family portraits on their wedding day.
Archie, who looks just like his dad with a shock of red hair, is casually dressed in jeans like the rest of the family, and his face is on show unlike other images shared by Harry and Meghan, where they have only shown the youngster from behind.
The Sussexes, who are currently residing in a $14.7million mansion in Montecito, released the card to announce they've made a donation to several charities, including an organisation that supports Afghan families left behind after the US withdrawal and Paid Leave For All, in line .
'This year we welcomed out daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a 'Mama and Papa' and Lili made us a family,' their message read. 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 Afhghanistan to American famiilies in need of paid parental leave
It comes as the couple prepare to spend their third Christmas outside of the UK, and away from Prince Harry's family.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have finally shown the first photo of their daughter Lilibet Diana, six months after she was born
The couple revealed they have made a donation to a number of charities
Today's card marks a change in for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have hidden their children's faces in recent snaps.
Archie has rarely been seen since the couple stepped back as senior royals in March last year, with the most recent picture of him released to mark his second birthday this May showing him with his back to the camera.
During the Oprah Winfrey interview and Prince Harry's mental health documentary, he made an appearance but royal fans were only be able to get a glimpse of the youngster's face.
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It also marks the first time royal fans have been able to see Lilibet's face.
Meghan is thought to have revealed a grainy first photograph of her second child Lilibet after a framed picture of Prince Harry kissing a newborn baby took pride of place on her desk in a video for her 40th birthday.
Royal fans expressed their annoyance over not seeing Archie's face again after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry released a new picture of their son to celebrate his second birthday (pictured) in May this year
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have released their first Christmas card since relocating to Los Angeles earlier this year
The only previous picture of Lilibet (centre) that's been seen is a very grainy black and white photo on Meghan's desk during her 40th birthday video call with Melissa McCarthy
Three further black and white photos could be seen in a connected frame in front of this, with the central one seeming to show Harry kissing a baby and one on the right potentially showing Meghan holding a young child.
Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's second child, was born on June 4 in Santa Barbara, California, and is eighth in line to the throne.
She was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and named after the Queen's childhood nickname, while her middle name Diana was in tribute to Harry's late mother.
The baby - a younger sister for the Sussexes' two-year-old son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor - weighed 7lbs 11oz.
No photographs of Lilibet were released following her birth, unlike her brother Archie, who had a photocall at Windsor Castle.
Last year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted to share an illustrated Christmas card - leading to some disappointed fans calling for the couple to show Archie’s face.
In the 2020 festive greeting, the couple were seen playing with Archie in the garden of their £11million ($15million) home in Montecito, along with dogs Pula and Guy. The card was a drawing of a photograph taken by Meghan's mother Doria.
It was released via Mayhew, the London-based animal charity for which Meghan is a patron and read: 'Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.'
A tiny Christmas tree in the picture was decorated with ornaments selected by Archie. The Mayhew tweeted the image along with a thank you for an undisclosed personal donation from the royals.
The card offered a sneak peek into the family's home and Archie's playhouse. A spokesman for the couple at the time said: 'The original photo of the family was taken at their home earlier this month by the Duchess's mother.
'The small Christmas tree, including the homemade ornaments and other decorations, were selected by Archie, and the tree will be replanted after the holidays.'
Mayhew, which is based in Kensal Green, West London, said on its website that the money would help it 'weather the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and enable us to reach the animals and people who are struggling'.
Caroline Yates, Mayhew's chief executive, said: '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.
'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 comes after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex donated to the first ever Annual Montecito Holiday Car Parade, which took place in their local California neighbourhood this week.
Prince Harry and Meghan showed their support for their new hometown as they joined a select few donors in supporting the festive car procession.
The couple, who live in an impressive $14.7 million mansion in the exclusive neighbourhood with Archie, 2, and Lilibet, seven months, got into the Christmas spirit for the parade, which was themed 'holiday magic'.
According to the Montecito Journal, brightly-lit cars decorated with garlands, tinsel and wreath made their way down the parade route, watched by locals as Santa Claus handed out candy from a truck complete with Christmas star.
The local paper wrote: ' As the merriment still lingers in the air, here’s to a new Montecito holiday tradition!
'Thanks to the many parade sponsors including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle who were first to donate'.
This week Meghan was seen Christmas shopping in Montecito at some of her favorite stores, including nearby Pierre LaFond & Co and kids' clothing boutique Poppy.
The mother-of-two looked stylish in a Massimo Dutti wool coat, Tamara Mellon boots, Bottega Veneta clutch, LeSpecs Air Heart sunglasses, along with a brown beanie and blue face mask.
Meghan was said to be out for around an hour with her bodyguard, and was seen carrying a few shopping bags before returning home.
An onlooker claimed: 'There was a franticness to her shopping, like she was just itching to get out and be somewhat normal. Even if it was for just an hour.'
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