The Prince and Princess of Wales have officially unveiled the heartwarming family photograph that will adorn the front of their 2025 Christmas card. The charming image, captured by photographer Josh Shinner, presents a relaxed and joyful portrait of the family of five enjoying the outdoors.
A Return to Festive Traditions
The release of the card coincides with the Wales family's return to a cherished royal tradition. On Wednesday 17 December 2025, Prince William and Princess Catherine were seen driving with their children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—through the gates of Buckingham Palace. They were attending the annual pre-Christmas lunch for the extended Royal Family, an event they missed last year.
This festive gathering, which typically invites around 70 of the King's relatives, offers a chance for the family to connect before the main Christmas celebrations at Sandringham. For the occasion, Kate looked festive in a bright red dress, accessorised with a black bow in her hair and a pair of Van Cleef & Arpels earrings. Princess Charlotte mirrored her mother's style with a matching bow in her hair.
The New Christmas Card Portrait
The newly released card photo shows the Wales family seated together on the grass, dressed in casual country attire. This continues a long-standing tradition where senior royals share a personal snapshot for their seasonal greetings. The image marks a significant and happy moment for the family following a challenging period.
Last year's Christmas card featured a still from the video message released by Kate in September 2024, in which she confirmed her return to public duties after completing preventative chemotherapy. The 2023 card presented a more formal look, with the family in matching white shirts and dark denim jeans. This contrasted with the 2022 photo, a casual shot of the family holding hands during a walk in Norfolk.
The family's past cards have often reflected personal milestones and favourite locations. Their 2021 card featured a relaxed holiday photo taken in Jordan, a country of personal significance to Kate as she lived there briefly as a child. The 2020 card showed the family gathered in casual clothes at their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.
A Season of Celebration and Togetherness
The Christmas card reveal comes just days after Princess Catherine hosted her annual 'Together at Christmas' carol service at Westminster Abbey. Her three children participated by hanging loops of red paper bearing their handwritten names on a symbolic 'Connection Tree', representing the importance of family and community ties.
Kate, who arrived ahead of her family to greet performers including Kate Winslet and Chiwetel Ejiofor, told Bastille singer Dan Smith that the event had become a beloved tradition for her children. The royal children were later pictured holding candles during the service, joined by other family members including the Middletons and Zara Tindall.
Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla have chosen a portrait from their 20th wedding anniversary celebrations for their official Christmas card. The photo, taken in the grounds of the British ambassador's residence in Rome, is framed with a dark red border and carries the message: "Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year."
