The Sussexes Share Family Christmas Card & Donations to Charities Close to Their Hearts

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their Christmas card via Meghan's patronage Mayhew. The artistic image was created from a photo taken by Meghan's mother Doria at their home earlier this month. A spokesperson for the family said, "The small Christmas tree, including the homemade ornaments and other decorations, were selected by Archie, and the tree will be replanted after the holidays."

As the couple are not currently active on social media, there was great interest in the platform they would use to share this year's card. Last year, they released an image taken by close friend Janina Gavankar via the Queen's Commonwealth Trust.

I was delighted to see Mayhew chosen this year and their work highlighted for the festive period. Fittingly, Guy and Pula make an appearance. The release coincides with news Harry and Meghan are marking Christmas with donations to Mayhew and other charities close to their hearts. "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 U.K. 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."

Mayhew said, "The Duke and Duchess’ generosity will help Mayhew weather the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and enable us to reach the animals and people who are struggling." CEO Caroline Yates added, "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."

More from the charity on the enormous challenges 2020 has presented:

"As has been the case for so many organisations, 2020 has put a huge strain on Mayhew’s projects. We have been proud to be able to adapt; delivering care packages to pets and owners in need, continuing to provide veterinary care for our animals, and even adapting our TheraPaws programme so that residents of care homes, hospitals and mental health facilities could continue to experience the joy of animal interaction. Our Patron’s gift – along with the many generous donations we have received from our supporters this year – will help these adapted projects continue.

We have been honoured to have the Duchess as our Patron since the beginning of 2019. She has a long background of championing animal welfare and we are very grateful to her for her ongoing support. We work extremely hard to help animals and their owners all across London, and we know that our cause is close to the Duchess’s heart. The Patronage has put more of a spotlight on these animal welfare issues and increased public awareness and understanding; and we are looking forward to continuing to work with the Duchess to help even more animals and people."

Mayhew is a grassroots charity working tirelessly to improve the lives of animals both in London and internationally. Mayhew looks for innovative ways to reduce the number of animals in need through pro-active community and educational initiatives and preventative veterinary care. This includes working with homeless charities across London to ensure people and their dogs can be kept together; running a pet refuge programme to provide shelter and care for the pets of people in crisis for short periods of time; and educating young people about animal welfare and the importance of responsible pet ownership. Internationally, Mayhew works with governments, local communities and charitable groups in Afghanistan, Georgia, Russia and India to help improve animal welfare. Sadly, we all know the festive period can be a particularly difficult one for charities like Mayhew.

If you're considering a last-minute gift for a loved one or want to support an amazing organisation, I would urge you to consider the charity's Winter Care Package Appeal. Mayhew are delivering emergency care packages to animals and pet owners in need this Christmas.

In addition to Mayhew, the couple also donated to Harry's UK patronage the Henry van Straubenzee Fund. The charity aims to improve the quality of education in impoverished rural Ugandan schools by investing in buildings and providing hygienic and educational resources. They form partnerships with schools to ensure that even the poorest children have access to high-quality education. The Fund currently helps over 28,000 children across 40 nursery, primary and secondary schools to be happier and healthier, with a good education. Harry and William have been joint patrons since 2009.

Henry van Straubenzee, pictured in 2001, a year before he tragically died aged 18. Both princes were "devastated" by the loss. During a speech in 2011, Harry described Henry as his "best friend", before adding, "It’s never easy losing someone close to you - and when it is family it is even harder. I cannot imagine what it is like to lose a child."

Below, Harry and Meghan at the Surrey wedding of Charlie van Straubenzee (the late Henry's brother) and Daisy Jenks in August 2018. Harry served as Best Man.

In December 2018, the van Straubenzee family asked Meghan to give a reading at the annual carol concert benefitting the fund. The Duchess chose the stirring 'Our Deepest Fear' by Marianne Williamson, telling guests she and Harry "believed it was the perfect reading because it sums up the spirit of what the Henry van Straubenzee Fund does to empower young children".

We ask ourselves

Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small

Does not serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking

So that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine,

As children do.

We were born to make manifest

The glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us;

It’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we’re liberated from our own fear,

Our presence automatically liberates others.

And finally, Santa Barbara based charity Transition House. The team support families dealing with and facing the prospect of homelessness. More on their mission: "By offering emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, homelessness prevention services, and comprehensive programs for children, Transition House takes a holistic approach to ending the cycle of poverty and homelessness for Santa Barbara families. Case managers and a career development specialist work with Transition House parents on improving money management skills, education, and employment opportunities. Families are given referrals to access additional social services including medical care, clinical counseling, recovery services, quality licensed childcare and public benefits. Case managers also help with housing searches and relocation plans." With the additional difficulties placed on families due to the pandemic, Transition House and organisations like it all over the world are needed more than ever.

A lovely family card and wonderful choice of charities. I'm sure Harry and Meghan cannot wait to celebrate with Archie, Doria (and of course Guy and Pula). Wishing you all a very safe, peaceful and happy Christmas!