William and Kate share family portrait for 2025 Christmas card

The card shows William and Catherine with their three children in a relaxed outdoor setting

Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, have unveiled their annual Christmas card, sharing a new family portrait that highlights a softer, more informal vision of royal life. The photograph shows the couple seated on lush grass surrounded by spring daffodils, joined by their children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis—in a scene that feels intimate and unposed.

The image was taken by photographer Josh Shinner in Norfolk in April and was shared on the couple’s official social media channels with the simple message: “Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.” The relaxed composition projects warmth and togetherness, reinforcing William’s previously stated intention to approach royal life differently from past generations.

The portrait has been widely seen as a reflection of a modern, millennial monarchy—one that is less formal and more relatable, marked by open collars, casual styling and a focus on family connection rather than ceremony. It also signals continuity, as the photographs appear to come from the same shoot used to mark Prince George’s 12th birthday and Prince Louis’ seventh earlier this year.

This year’s Christmas card carries added significance for Catherine, as it marks another step in her gradual return to public life following cancer treatment and chemotherapy. The image presents a quiet but powerful message of unity and recovery, showing the princess surrounded by her family as she continues to rebuild her public role.

Last year’s Christmas card also held deep personal meaning, featuring a still image taken from the video in which Catherine announced the end of her chemotherapy treatment. In January, she revealed she was in remission during an emotional visit to the hospital where she received care.

The past year has been a milestone period for the couple. In the spring, William and Catherine celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary during an official visit to the Isle of Mull in Scotland, and later in the summer they prepared to move into their long-term family home at Forest Lodge in Windsor.

 

 

 

 

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The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to spend Christmas together and join King Charles and other members of the royal family at Sandringham in Norfolk on Christmas Day. Earlier this month, the King and Queen Camilla released their own Christmas card, featuring a photograph taken during their state visit to Italy, showing the couple smiling together on a garden path in Rome.

Together, the royal Christmas cards offer a snapshot of a family-focused festive season, blending tradition with a more personal and contemporary royal image.