In a move that seems to be an extension of their ongoing struggle for relevance, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have ignited yet another firestorm of controversy with their 2024 Christmas card.
This year, the couple has opted for an AI-generated image featuring their children, Archie and Lilibet, in a scene where they appear to be feeding rescue chickens.
The reaction on social media has been swift and scathing, as many users ridicule the apparent disconnect between the Sussexes’ portrayal of family life and the reality many families face today.
Gone are the days when royal Christmas cards showcased genuine family moments.
Instead, the Sussexes have chosen what critics describe as a contrived depiction that aligns with their Hollywood lifestyle.
The image, set against the backdrop of their lavish Montecito mansion, features unusually pristine rescue chickens that look almost too perfect, leading royal watchers to suspect artificial manipulation.
Royal commentator Victoria Howard pointed out the obvious signs of this digital alteration, noting the unnatural lighting and oddly symmetrical features of the children.
“It’s painfully obvious,” she remarked, questioning whether this is really the path the couple has chosen.
The choice to use AI technology instead of a real family photograph has raised eyebrows among royal experts.
Many speculate that Meghan Markle’s decision reflects a desire to control their public persona, despite her previous claims about valuing authenticity.
The backdrop of their $14.5 million home feels particularly tone-deaf, especially during a time when countless families are grappling with rising living costs.
The chickens, which first gained attention during their infamous Oprah interview, now seem more like props than symbols of genuine animal welfare.
Christopher Anderson, a royal author, highlighted how this card exemplifies the Sussexes’ approach to public life—carefully curated and heavily controlled, yet lacking authenticity.
Rather than sharing a heartfelt moment with their supporters, they’ve transformed their children into digital avatars, raising questions about the true nature of their family narrative.
The timing of the card’s release, coinciding with the royal family’s traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, further amplifies the contrast.
While the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a candid family photograph, the Sussexes opted for a distinctly Silicon Valley-themed greeting.
Social media has not held back in its criticism.
Comments ranged from disbelief over the couple’s inability to take a genuine photo to musings about their obsession with controlling their narrative.
One Twitter user quipped, “They couldn’t even be bothered to take a real photo of their kids.”
Critics argue that the focus on rescue chickens undermines any legitimate message about animal welfare, particularly given the couple’s history of private jet usage.
Inside royal circles, sources have expressed a sense of disappointment regarding the card.
An insider noted that Christmas greetings should be personal and warm rather than resembling something generated by a computer program.
This incident adds to a growing list of PR blunders for the Sussexes, with past attempts to shape their narrative often backfiring spectacularly, drawing more critique than praise.
Marketing experts suggest that the couple’s choice to use AI may stem from their conflicting desires for privacy and public presence.
Brand strategist Janet Morrison explained that they’ve created a paradox where they want to shield their children while simultaneously using their images to stay relevant.
The outcome is a bizarre blend of artificial representations that fail to resonate with genuine moments.
The irony of employing AI to convey a sense of authenticity, especially in a holiday greeting centered around feeding rescue chickens, hasn’t escaped observers.
This contradiction is particularly striking given Meghan’s prior emphasis on the importance of being real.
As the backlash continues, questions about the couple’s judgment and their ability to connect with public sentiment linger.
What could have been a heartfelt holiday greeting has instead become another example of perceived detachment and obsession with image control.
Royal commentator Peter Mitchell remarked that it’s increasingly unclear who the Sussexes are trying to reach.
Their core supporters crave authenticity, while critics demand consistency, yet they seem to provide neither.
The AI Christmas card debacle serves as a metaphor for the Sussexes’ post-royal existence—glossy, artificial, and meticulously controlled, but lacking the warmth and connection they profess to value.
As they navigate their roles outside the royal family, this latest mishap suggests a widening gap between their aspirations for authenticity and the reality they present to the world.
Just when you thought Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Christmas card couldn’t get any stranger, they’ve managed to outdo themselves once again.
The couple now faces a wave of backlash over their AI-generated holiday image, which many have described as unsettling and bizarre.
Royal fans quickly pointed out the obvious signs that this was no ordinary snapshot, leading to widespread incredulity and mockery.
Critics have accused Meghan and Harry of attempting to mislead the public with such an artificial representation of family life.
Some even suggest that their decision to use AI is a calculated move to generate headlines, playing into their well-known penchant for courting controversy.