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The Prince and Princess of Wales’ Christmas cards have long charmed royal fans. Relaxed and informal, they portray a family at ease, with each child’s personality clearly on display. William and Kate come across as equal, hands-on partners, warm and affectionate, while George, Charlotte, and Louis add energy and character to every image.
Unlike the formal, posed portraits favored by previous generations, their cards feel natural and authentic — the kind of photographs that could easily belong in any family album, were it not for the future King and Queen at their center.
Kate’s artistic eye — shaped by her studies in art history and her passion for photography — adds depth to each image, but it is the family’s ease in both public and private life that gives these portraits their distinctive warmth.
Their first card in 2011 captured them as newlyweds during a tour of Canada, with Kate in a white dress and red hat, glowing with happiness. By 2013, the focus had shifted to family life, with baby George photographed on Kate’s lap at his christening, his arms stretched wide.
Glimpse into royal children’s personalities
As their family grew, the character of their Christmas cards evolved as well. The 2015 and 2018 designs reflected a larger, livelier household — playful and spontaneous images captured at children’s parties or on the grounds of Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
Royal watchers soon began to look forward not only to the festive message itself, but also to a snapshot of the children’s emerging personalities — George’s natural composure, Charlotte’s quiet confidence, and Louis’s mischievous grin.
Subtle shift in William and Kate’s messaging
By 2022, the tone had subtly shifted. William was now the heir apparent, with George seen as his “second in command,” and the family’s walk along a green-lined path came to symbolize unity during a period of transition.
A year later, in 2023, they chose a striking black-and-white photograph by fashion photographer Josh Shinner — sleek and understated, with a touch of artistic edge. The image seemed to quietly signal just how quickly everyone was growing up.
In 2024, as Kate faced cancer and remained mindful of the many people following her journey, she shared a deeply personal video after completing chemotherapy. The footage showed her finding strength in her family and in the calm beauty of a summer’s day in Norfolk, accompanied by the message: “Out of darkness can come light.”
A still image from that video, taken by Will Warr, was later chosen by the Waleses as the meaningful centerpiece of their 2024 Christmas card.
