The Prince and Princess of Wales have released their 2025 Christmas card, and while the springtime setting may not shout festive tradition, fashion stylists insist the family portrait is packed with deliberate and meaningful sartorial signals.
A Masterclass in Quiet Cohesion
The photograph, captured by Josh Shinner back in April in a grassy Norfolk location, shows William and Kate, both 43, smiling alongside their children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, ten, and Prince Louis, seven. While the scene features spring daffodils rather than winter snow, experts argue the clothing choices speak volumes.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, celebrity stylist Oriona Robb described the image as "a masterclass in quiet cohesion." She highlighted the family's choice of an earthy, muted palette. "Kate and William have opted for an earthy, muted palette that mirrors the children's knits and layers, creating a sense of visual harmony without slipping into anything contrived," Robb explained.
She noted that the greens, soft browns, and natural textures feel "grounded and reassuring," representing a conscious shift away from formal royalty towards warmth and approachability. A key success, according to Robb, is how the family achieves "unity without uniformity," allowing each member's individuality to shine while being subtly bound by a shared tonal language.
Fashion as a Tool for Storytelling
Other style commentators echoed this analysis. Stylist Lisa Talbot observed that the coordinated colour palette creates "visual harmony and a sense of calm." She stated it reinforces togetherness and stability "without feeling staged or overly formal," suggesting confidence in their family identity.
Eliza Scarborough, Fashion Editor at the Daily Mail, agreed, writing: "Clothing becomes a subtle but strategic tool in perfectly matched tones which quietly reinforce stability, tradition, and togetherness." She added that by coordinating with their children, William and Kate place the family unit firmly at the heart of the monarchy's future narrative.
This thoughtful presentation is seen as particularly resonant after a challenging period for the family, which included Kate's recovery from cancer, announced at the start of 2025 following what William called a 'brutal' 2024.
Behind the Scenes of the Festive Image
The card image shows a relaxed family moment. Kate has her arm around George, Charlotte rests her head on William's shoulder, and a beaming Louis—missing his top front teeth—leans back between his father's legs. The picture appears to be from the same photoshoot used for Louis's seventh birthday portraits in April and a Father's Day image released in June.
Kensington Palace posted the picture on social media with the simple caption: 'Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.'
The card's release follows several royal engagements. Two days prior, the Waleses attended the King's pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. The day before that, the whole family was at Westminster Abbey for Kate's 'Together at Christmas' carol service. They are expected to spend Christmas Day at Sandringham with the King and Queen and other family members.
This festive season marks a fresh start for the Wales family in more ways than one, having recently moved into their new Windsor home, Forest Lodge. Meanwhile, the image stands in contrast to the ongoing controversies surrounding the Duke of York, who has been stripped of his titles and is moving out of Royal Lodge.
Ultimately, experts conclude that the Wales family's Christmas card is a potent example of modern royal communication, where fashion serves not as a trend statement, but as a nuanced medium for conveying unity, resilience, and a forward-looking stability.
