Family portraits have long been a cherished tradition during the holiday season, and members of royal families are no exception. Each year, these images offer a glimpse into both the public and private lives of royals, sharing moments of joy, togetherness, and personal milestones with the wider world.
In 2025, the Prince and Princess of Wales unveiled their annual Christmas card, which quickly captured public attention for one unusual detail. Traditionally, King Charles and his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, release holiday photos that celebrate the year’s highlights and offer personal snapshots of their family life. This long-standing custom connects the royals to their supporters while sharing a festive message of goodwill.
The history of royal holiday greetings stretches back centuries. Handmade cards from Queen Victoria’s children, now preserved by the Royal Collection Trust, represent the earliest examples, while official family photographs were popularized later during the reign of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Today, these cards continue as a symbol of connection, blending ceremonial tradition with personal family moments.
The 2025 card, shared via Kensington Palace’s social media channels, features Prince William and Princess Catherine seated on a grassy Norfolk field, surrounded by their three children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. Charlotte leans her head on her father’s shoulder while holding his arm, and Louis rests against William’s chest. Catherine smiles warmly at the camera, her arm gently wrapped around her eldest. The card carries a simple holiday message: “Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.”
While many praised the portrait for its intimate and relaxed family feel, some questioned whether it truly reflected the Christmas season. Several social media users noted the lack of traditional seasonal elements, such as snow, holiday decorations, or winter attire. Comments included observations like, “Lovely family photo, but not very Christmas-y,” and, “Photo seems more like spring than winter.”
The reason behind this discrepancy is that the image was taken in April by photographer Josh Shinner, originally intended to mark George’s 12th and Louis’ seventh birthdays. This explains the bright, spring-like setting and casual attire, rather than a traditional winter scene. Despite the timing, the portrait has been appreciated for its genuine warmth and family connection.
This is not the first time royal holiday cards have sparked conversation. The 2024 card included a computer-generated snowy animation and coincided with Princess Catherine’s pre-recorded video update following her chemotherapy treatment earlier that year. The contrast of celebratory imagery with serious personal news drew attention, highlighting the balance the royal family maintains between public tradition and private life.
The 2025 card comes after a particularly challenging period for the Wales family. Prince William described 2024 as an especially difficult year, while Catherine shared news of her full recovery from cancer earlier in 2025. Their relative privacy over the past year underscored the importance of family and personal milestones in their holiday greeting.
In addition to the card, the couple recently moved into Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom home in Windsor Great Park, marking a new chapter in their family life. Catherine also hosted her fifth annual Together at Christmas carol service, celebrating community heroes who contribute positively to society.
For Christmas Day, Prince William and Princess Catherine are expected to join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham, continuing a long-standing tradition of family gatherings during the festive season. The King and Queen also released their own card on December 7, featuring a portrait taken in April at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome, to mark their 20th wedding anniversary. Their card includes the message: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year,” set within a classic dark red frame.
Despite debates over seasonal accuracy, the Wales family’s 2025 card highlights the enduring appeal of holiday portraits: a blend of tradition, personal storytelling, and genuine family warmth. Across generations, these images continue to remind the public that even royal lives are shaped by ordinary family moments—joy, togetherness, and resilience—which remain at the heart of every festive greeting.
Family holiday cards have long been a treasured tradition in royal households, offering glimpses of personal moments that contrast with the formal public appearances often associated with monarchy. These images provide both fans and the general public with a rare opportunity to see royals in a more relaxed, human light. The 2025 Christmas card from the Prince and Princess of Wales is no exception, blending charm, warmth, and familial intimacy, even if some observers noted its unseasonal setting.
The practice of sending holiday greetings in royal circles stretches back to the early 19th century. Handmade cards from the children of Queen Victoria offer some of the earliest examples of this tradition. Preserved carefully in the Royal Collection Trust, these cards were often delicate, intricately illustrated, and intended to convey familial affection to relatives and close acquaintances. As time progressed, official photographic portraits became the preferred method for connecting with the public. During the reign of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, photographs were carefully curated to present the royal family as both approachable and dignified. These images were typically taken in formal settings, often with symbolic backdrops and traditional holiday attire, reinforcing the sense of continuity and history that surrounds the monarchy.
In the 21st century, royal Christmas cards have evolved to balance formal representation with personal storytelling. King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry have all used these cards to share milestones, achievements, and familial growth. Whether highlighting new additions to the family, celebrating anniversaries, or commemorating personal victories, the portraits serve as both a festive greeting and a historical record. Social media and digital platforms have further amplified the reach of these images, allowing millions of viewers worldwide to engage with them instantly.
The 2025 card from Prince William and Princess Catherine was captured in Norfolk, within a serene grassy field adorned with springtime blooms. The setting itself immediately drew attention for its departure from conventional winter imagery. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are featured in natural, playful poses alongside their parents, with Charlotte resting her head on William’s shoulder and Louis leaning against his father’s chest. Catherine’s warm smile and gentle embrace of her eldest child completes the picture of a connected, joyful family. The card’s message—“Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas”—is understated yet heartfelt, emphasizing familial unity over festive embellishment.
While many lauded the portrait for its intimacy and authenticity, some viewers questioned the absence of typical holiday elements. Snow, Christmas decorations, or cozy winter attire were noticeably missing, leading to playful commentary on social media. Observers expressed curiosity about whether the card truly embodied the spirit of Christmas, despite its evident warmth and familial focus. The explanation lies in the photograph’s timing: it was taken in April by photographer Josh Shinner, originally intended to mark George’s 12th birthday and Louis’ seventh. The spring setting and casual clothing were thus a product of convenience and prior planning rather than a stylistic choice for the festive season.
Even with the unconventional timing, the portrait succeeds in capturing something timeless: the sense of togetherness and love that defines family life. Many commentators noted that the image conveys a sense of calm, joy, and balance, reflecting the priorities of Prince William and Princess Catherine, who have emphasized family cohesion amidst their public responsibilities. This focus on human connection resonates widely, reminding audiences that, regardless of status, families share universal moments of affection, playfulness, and support.
The Wales family’s 2025 card also follows a year of personal challenges and triumphs. 2024 was described by Prince William as “the hardest year of my life,” referencing both personal and family struggles. Princess Catherine’s battle with cancer in early 2024 was a particularly publicized challenge, culminating in her successful treatment and full recovery by January 2025. These events have added depth and significance to the family’s public appearances and seasonal greetings, as the card reflects not just celebration but resilience, hope, and the reaffirmation of family bonds.
In addition to these personal milestones, the family has recently moved into Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom home in Windsor Great Park. This relocation symbolizes a new chapter in their lives, providing a spacious and private environment for the children while remaining connected to the wider royal estate. Catherine’s hosting of the fifth annual Together at Christmas carol service further highlights the family’s commitment to community engagement. This event celebrates local heroes, volunteers, and individuals making a positive impact, underscoring the importance of shared values, gratitude, and festive reflection.
Traditionally, Christmas Day gatherings bring together multiple generations of the royal family. This year, Prince William and Princess Catherine are expected to join King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham, continuing a long-standing practice of family-centered holiday celebrations. These gatherings blend formal tradition with personal interaction, offering a moment of continuity and connection amidst public and ceremonial duties. Sandringham, with its historical significance and seasonal beauty, provides an ideal backdrop for reflection, joy, and family togetherness, reinforcing the enduring appeal of royal holiday customs.
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s own 2025 card complements the Wales family’s portrait while offering a more traditional approach. Released on December 7, it features a photograph taken in April at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome, in celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary. Set within a dark red frame, the card carries the message: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.” Like the Wales family’s card, it combines elegance, history, and personal significance, though in a slightly more formal style. Together, these portraits exemplify how modern royals balance accessibility, tradition, and storytelling in their seasonal greetings.
The release of these cards often sparks broader cultural discussions about family, tradition, and public image. Observers frequently comment on the interplay between personal milestones and ceremonial expectations, recognizing the difficulty of balancing public roles with private life. In this context, the 2025 Wales card stands out not for seasonal accuracy but for its authentic depiction of familial closeness. The choice of a springtime photo, rather than a winter scene, emphasizes spontaneity, natural interaction, and the enduring bond between parents and children.
For many audiences, the appeal lies in the relatability of the imagery. Despite their status, the family engages in ordinary moments of affection, play, and togetherness—activities that resonate with families everywhere. This universality, paired with the visual beauty of Norfolk’s rolling fields, creates a sense of connection between royals and the public, fostering admiration, empathy, and seasonal goodwill.
The story behind royal holiday cards also reflects changes in photography, media, and public engagement. Whereas earlier portraits were meticulously staged and shared through print and official correspondence, modern images are captured with a mix of professional precision and candid authenticity, then shared instantly via social media. This evolution allows for greater immediacy and interaction, with viewers offering reactions, commentary, and support in real time. The Wales family’s 2025 card demonstrates this dynamic, with audiences responding to both the composition and the family’s visible closeness.
Ultimately, the 2025 Christmas card embodies more than a seasonal greeting; it is a statement about family, resilience, and shared experiences. Through a springtime photograph, Prince William and Princess Catherine highlight the importance of genuine connection over visual conformity, reminding the public that festive celebration is as much about relationships as it is about seasonal symbolism. The card offers both a message of joy and a reflection on the past year’s challenges, underscoring the capacity of family, love, and hope to endure amidst difficulty.
In a world captivated by spectacle, the card’s simple, heartfelt presentation emphasizes that authenticity resonates most. From the children’s playful poses to the parents’ warm expressions, every element communicates care, attention, and the quiet strength of familial bonds. Social media reactions, whether questioning the seasonality or praising the intimacy, reflect a collective fascination with both the royal family and the human themes it represents.
As the holiday season progresses, the 2025 Wales card will likely become part of broader discussions on tradition, modernity, and the evolving ways families—royal or otherwise—choose to celebrate together. In combining personal storytelling, historical continuity, and public engagement, the card reminds audiences that the spirit of the season lies not in snow or decorations alone but in connection, gratitude, and shared joy.
Through this portrait, the Prince and Princess of Wales invite viewers to reflect on the meaning of family, resilience, and love, proving that even in the absence of winter imagery, the warmth of togetherness can define the holiday season in ways that are both meaningful and timeless.