Christmas cards are a long-standing royal tradition, and each year the British monarchy releases new family photos to mark the festive season.
King Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry all share carefully chosen portraits that are meant to feel warm, personal, and seasonal.
The custom of sending royal Christmas greetings goes back to the 19th century, when Queen Victoria’s children made handmade cards that are still preserved in the Royal Collection.
The practice of publishing official family photographs came later, under King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and has continued ever since as a way for the royals to connect with the public at the end of each year.
This year, when the Prince and Princess of Wales unveiled their 2025 Christmas card, the photo immediately drew attention — but not only for the reason they might have hoped.
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The card, shared on Kensington Palace’s social media accounts, shows Prince William and Princess Catherine seated on the grass in a field in Norfolk, surrounded by flowers. Their children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — are gathered close around them in a relaxed family pose. The message on the card is simple:
“Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.”
In the picture, Charlotte rests her head on her father’s shoulder, Louis leans against William’s chest, and Catherine has her arm around George as they all smile at the camera. It’s a bright, peaceful scene — and clearly not taken in winter.
That was the first thing many people noticed.
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“Nice… but where is the Christmas?”
Although plenty of fans praised the portrait as sweet and affectionate, many others felt it didn’t match the Christmas mood at all. Social media quickly filled with comments questioning the choice of image.
Some of the reactions included:
“Where is the Christmas?”
“Very lovely – but not very seasonal, is it?”
“Why is there nothing Christmassy on the card?”
Others pointed out that the photo is not new. It was taken back in April by photographer Josh Shinner, during the same shoot used for Prince George’s 12th birthday and Prince Louis’s 7th birthday earlier in the year.
A few commenters even questioned whether the image had been digitally altered, asking things like:
“Has there been more photoshopping? Where are Kate’s legs? William only has one leg.”
Some royal watchers said they would love to see a more obviously festive or wintry photo one year, rather than a springtime throwback.
Not the first time their card has raised eyebrows
This isn’t the first time the Wales family’s Christmas card has sparked debate.
In 2024, the royals released an animated card with a computer-generated snowy scene. The digital style drew plenty of attention, coming at a sensitive moment: that same season, Princess Catherine issued a pre-recorded video message telling the public she had completed chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis earlier in the year.
The combination of a stylized card and deeply personal health news left some people feeling that the tone was unusual.
A difficult year behind them
The 2025 Christmas card arrives after what Prince William has described as an extremely tough period for the family. He reportedly called 2024 “brutal,” while Catherine has confirmed she is now in remission following her treatment.
For much of that time, the couple kept a lower public profile to focus on her recovery and their children.
This year also marks a new chapter in their private life: the family has moved into Forest Lodge, an eight-bedroom home in Windsor Great Park, symbolizing a fresh start after a year overshadowed by illness. Catherine recently hosted her fifth “Together at Christmas” carol service, honoring community heroes who support others in difficult times.
Christmas with the King and Queen
According to British media, William and Catherine are expected to spend Christmas Day with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham.
The King and Queen shared their own Christmas card earlier in December. Their portrait, also taken in April, marks their 20th wedding anniversary and was shot at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome. Their card features a dark red border and the traditional greeting:
“Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”
In the end, William and Kate’s 2025 card has certainly succeeded in getting people talking — though not everyone is impressed. While some see it as a tender family moment and a symbol of hope after a hard year, others are still wondering: why does a Christmas card look so much like spring?
