EXCLUSIVE: Grant Harrold served as the butler to King Charles for seven years and had plenty of dealings with Prince Harry and Prince William

Meghan Markle released a Christmas photo with her family last week (Image: INSTAGRAM/@MEGHAN)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Christmas card had a “strange” detail compared to Princess Kate and Prince William’s, a former royal staff member claims. The Sussexes’ festive snap showed Prince Harry cradling Prince Archie’s face while Meghan held Princess Lilibet’s hands. It came just hours after Kate and William released her family’s 2025 card – a photo taken earlier this year.

In it, Kate and William were sat alongside Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on the grass in Norfolk. Both photos, unsurprisingly, exploded online after being released. And now King Charles’ former butler has had his say. Grant Harrold worked for the then Prince Charles from 2004 to 2011 and has plenty of first hand experience of meeting Princes William and Harry.

Princess Kate and Prince William’s Christmas card with their family (Image: @KensingtonRoyal/Josh Shinner)

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he said he found it “strange” the Sussexes opted once again not to show the faces of their children.

He explained: “Meghan and Harry have kept the royal tradition of sending a Christmas card with a family photo on the front, which is of course a big American tradition as well. They’ve cherry picked the traditions they want to keep from royal life, keeping the ones that work for them.

“However I find this year’s photo a bit strange. They don’t want to show their children’s faces, and I completely understand their choice to keep their children’s faces out of the spotlight. However I think it just comes across a bit odd in this picture. Again, they’re kind of sitting in the middle. Why send out a photo of your children if you don’t want them to be seen? For me, it doesn’t make sense.”

Grant Harrold worked for the then-Prince Charles for seven years (Image: Daily Record)

Meghan and Harry have made a concerted effort to hide their children from the spotlight, which often sees them hiding their faces in photos and videos.

The snap is in “sharp contrast” to the one released by the Wales’ “very traditional” image, according to Grant. He continued: “It’s a proud family photo. Their picture oozes confidence, while Meghan and Harry’s still looks a bit off in my opinion.

“The only similarity between the photos is their choice of an outdoor setting. Again, this is very normal for royal Christmas cards, however I think it’s also symbolic as both families love being outside. Kate has spoken regularly about the benefits of spending time outdoors, and Meghan has also spoken of her love of being in her garden.”

Grant also noted a “sad difference” between the two brothers’ cards, given who he believes will receive them.

He added: “To my understanding, Kate and William’s Christmas card list still includes friends they’ve held close for years and years – I bet a lot of the names I knew from my time working with them are still on the list. However, Prince Harry has parted with so many of his friends so I doubt he’ll be in touch with them this Christmas.”