Kathrine Frich
Christmas cards are meant to feel timely and festive.
But when the Prince and Princess of Wales released their annual greeting, it wasn’t the message that caught attention.
Instead, one detail quickly set off a wave of online discussion.
A royal tradition
Sharing family portraits at Christmas is a long-standing custom for the British royal family.
Handmade holiday cards date back to Queen Victoria’s children, while official photographic cards became common during the reign of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Today, the tradition continues as a way for senior royals to offer a seasonal message and a glimpse into family life.
Each year, images from King Charles and the Prince of Wales are widely shared and closely scrutinised.
The 2025 card from Prince William and Princess Catherine followed that tradition — but not without controversy.
A springtime scene
The photograph, released via Kensington Palace’s social media accounts, shows William and Catherine seated on grass in Norfolk, surrounded by flowers and their three children: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.
Charlotte leans against her father’s shoulder, Louis rests against his chest, and Catherine wraps an arm around George.
The card carries a simple line: “Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.”
The image, taken by photographer Josh Shinner, was shot earlier this year and previously used for birthday portraits of George and Louis.
Online backlash
While many praised the relaxed family atmosphere, others questioned whether the image suited the season at all.
“Where is the Christmas?” one commenter asked.
Another wrote: “Very lovely – but not very seasonal is it?”
Some users pointed out that the photograph appeared to have been taken in spring, while others raised concerns about editing, asking: “Has there been more photoshopping?”
A recurring complaint focused on the lack of winter or festive elements, with one user noting simply: “Photo taken in April.”
Not the first time
This is not the first Christmas card from the royal family to prompt debate.
The Waleses’ 2024 card, which featured a computer-generated snowy animation, also drew attention.
That release coincided with Princess Catherine sharing a pre-recorded message announcing she had completed chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis earlier that year.
A difficult year
The latest card comes after what Prince William has described as a “brutal” period for the family. In an interview with The Times, he called 2024 “the hardest year of my life.”
Catherine has since confirmed she is in remission, and the family has kept a lower public profile.
They recently moved into Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park, marking what aides have described as a new chapter.
The couple are expected to spend Christmas Day with King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham.
The King and Queen released their own Christmas card earlier this month, featuring a formal portrait taken in Rome to mark their 20th wedding anniversary.
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