The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared the photo on the front of their 2025 Christmas card, which shows the family of five sitting on the grass amid spring daffodils
The Prince and Princess of Wales have unveiled the brand new family photograph that adorns their 2025 Christmas card. The previously unseen image, shared on Kensington Palace’s social media, shows Prince William and Kate seated on the grass amidst spring daffodils with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Charlotte is seen resting her head on her father’s shoulder and clutching his arm, a laid-back Louis is reclining between William’s legs, and Kate has her arm wrapped around George. The post reads: “Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.”
The photo was taken by Josh Shinner in Norfolk in April. George and Louis are dressed in the same outfits as those worn in the portraits released in April and then July, suggesting the family picture was taken during the same photoshoot.
It is a longstanding royal family tradition to release a Christmas card featuring a personal snapshot on the front, and this year’s follows a series of delightful family photos that William and Kate have shared over the years, reports the Mirror.
Last year’s photo depicted the Wales family with their arms around each other, all smiles. It was taken from the video released by Kate last September, which announced her return to public duties following the completion of her chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer the previous year.
In 2023, the Wales family’s Christmas card photo featured all five members in a formal pose, donned in matching white shirts and dark denim jeans. This was a stark contrast to the 2022 snap, which depicted the couple casually dressed, hand-in-hand with their children during a walk in Norfolk.
The 2021 card showcased the family unwinding on a private holiday in Jordan. The location of that year’s photo held particular significance for Kate, as she spent part of her childhood years in Jordan where her father Mike was employed by British Airways.
Meanwhile, the 2020 Christmas card displayed the Wales family huddled together in casual attire at Anmer Hall, their country residence near the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The unveiling of the card coincided with the Wales family returning to an annual royal family Christmas tradition yesterday, after foregoing it with their children the previous year.
William and Kate were spotted driving with Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Prince Louis into the gates of Buckingham Palace for the Firm’s yearly pre-Christmas lunch for extended family.
This festive gathering is hosted for all members of the royal family and typically takes place about a week before Christmas, with approximately 70 of the King’s relatives invited to the celebration.
It provides the family an opportunity to reconnect, as not all of them will be participating in the festivities at Sandringham, including the walk to church and Christmas dinner on December 25 itself.
Last year, while Kate was still recuperating from her cancer treatment, the Wales family did not attend the event, choosing instead to spend the Christmas holidays at Amner Hall in Norfolk.
This year, however, they were spotted arriving at and departing from the palace for the gathering, with Kate looking festive in a vibrant red dress, adorned with a black bow in her hair and £6,300 Van Cleef earrings. Charlotte was also seen coordinating with her mother, sporting a bow in her hair paired with a burgundy ensemble.
Earlier this month, Kate officially launched the Christmas countdown with her annual carol concert, where her children embraced the festive spirit of togetherness by leaving their names on a symbolic tree.
George, Charlotte, and Louis accompanied their parents to Kate’s annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey last week, enjoying an evening filled with seasonal songs.
Upon arrival, the smartly dressed siblings hung loops of red paper bearing their handwritten names on a “Connection Tree”. This represents togetherness and the significance of moments of connection, and was adorned with paper chains created as each guest contributed a loop with their name.
Kate arrived at the abbey ahead of her family and before the service commenced to greet some of the stars performing or delivering readings, including Hollywood actors Kate Winslet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and singer Katie Melua. She revealed to Dan Smith, Bastille’s lead singer, that her children were eagerly anticipating the service: “They’re really excited, it’s become such a tradition.”
In other royal news, the King and Queen selected their 20th wedding anniversary photograph for their official Christmas card this year. The image shows Charles and Camilla standing together, with the Queen’s arm linked through the King’s, captured in the grounds of Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome, earlier this year.
The photograph sits within the card, bordered by a deep red frame, with a printed message in the same shade on the facing page reading “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year”.
The couple marked their landmark 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, 2025, while abroad on royal duty during their state visit to Italy. They celebrated the evening of their anniversary as guests of honour at a lavish banquet.
