The ritual of the holiday card is something most of us know well. It’s that time of year when we scramble to find a photo where everyone is looking at the camera, where the dog isn’t barking, and where the lighting makes us look reasonably rested. For the British Royal Family, however, this annual tradition is less about a trip to the local photo center and more about a global statement. It is a carefully curated glimpse behind the velvet curtain, a moment where the monarchy attempts to bridge the gap between palace walls and the public.

But when the Prince and Princess of Wales—William and Catherine—dropped their card for the 2025 season, the reaction wasn’t just the usual chorus of “awws.” It was a mixture of delight, confusion, and the kind of internet sleuthing that only happens in the age of social media.

While the image radiates warmth, family unity, and relief after a harrowing year, the eagle-eyed observers of the internet found a few things that didn’t quite sit right with their vision of a “White Christmas.”

The Moment the Portrait Dropped and Stole Hearts

There is a specific kind of anticipation that builds around the release of the Wales family Christmas card. We have watched Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis grow up through these annual snapshots. We’ve seen them evolve from toddlers in knee socks to young royals with distinct personalities.

This year, the reveal came via Kensington Palace’s social media channels, and the vibe was immediately striking. Gone were the formal studios or the stiff, buttoned-up poses of generations past. Instead, we were treated to a sun-dappled scene that felt more like a catalogue for a high-end summer vacation than a winter greeting.

The photo features Prince William and Princess Catherine sitting on a lush, grassy bank in Norfolk. They are surrounded by the vibrancy of nature—greenery, flowers, and the unmistakable golden light of spring. But the true emotional hook of the image lies in the body language. This isn’t just a family sitting near each other; it is a family clinging to one another.

Princess Charlotte, looking grown-up and graceful at ten years old, rests her head tenderly on her father’s shoulder, her hands clasping his arm as if she’s his anchor. Prince Louis, ever the character at seven, leans comfortably back into his father’s chest, the very picture of security and ease. And then there is Catherine. The Princess wraps a protective, loving arm around her eldest, Prince George, now twelve, while flashing that warm, familiar smile at the camera.

The caption accompanying the photo was simple, keeping the focus on the image itself:

“Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.”

On the surface, it is a perfect image. It tells a story of survival, of love, and of a family that has weathered a storm and come out the other side holding hands. But as is the way of the modern world, once the initial wave of affection passed, the questions began to roll in.

When the Internet Turned into Sherlock Holmes

The internet is a place where nothing goes unnoticed, and the Royal Christmas card was immediately placed under the microscope. While the comments section was flooded with heart emojis and well-wishes, a distinct undercurrent of confusion began to bubble up. The primary point of contention? The weather.

For many fans, Christmas is synonymous with snow, red berries, wool sweaters, and crackling fires. Seeing the future King and Queen of England basking in what looked like a warm June afternoon threw some people for a loop.

One social media user didn’t mince words, asking the question on everyone’s mind: “Where is the Christmas?”

It’s a fair question if you look at it through the lens of traditional holiday aesthetics. We are conditioned to expect snowflakes and scarves. Another follower chimed in with a polite but puzzled critique:

“Very lovely – but not very seasonal is it? The children change so much, so fast, it would be lovely to have a more recent picture IMHO.”

This comment touches on a poignant reality of royal watching. Because the children are growing at such a rapid clip, a photo taken months ago can feel slightly outdated by December. George, Charlotte, and Louis seem to sprout inches every time we look away, so a photo from earlier in the year captures a version of them that has already shifted.

But the critique didn’t stop at the season. The internet loves a conspiracy, and the “Photoshop Fail” detectives were out in full force.

One fan squinted at the screen and typed: “Has there been more photoshopping? Where are Kathy’s legs? Bill only has one leg.”

Another observer, perhaps missing the holly and ivy, wrote: “Why is there nothing Christmasy on the card?”

And the timeline sleuths were quick to identify the disconnect, with one pointing out succinctly: “Photo taken in April.”

The sentiment was summarized perfectly by a fifth commenter who just wanted a little bit of winter magic: “Nice, but I really wish that one year they had a more Christmas / winter style photo….,”

The Story Behind the Sunshine

The criticism, while perhaps nitpicky, stems from a factual place. The portrait was indeed taken back in April by photographer Josh Shinner. If that name sounds familiar, or if the lighting looks recognizable, it’s because this session was also the source of the photos used to mark Prince George’s twelfth birthday and Prince Louis’s seventh birthday.

Using a photo from a single session for multiple milestones is a very relatable parenting move—getting three children to smile simultaneously is a feat, even for royalty, so when you get the shots, you use them. However, the choice to use a spring photo for a winter holiday is a departure from the “cozy” aesthetic many hope for.

This isn’t the first time the Wales family has decided to go against the grain. The discourse around their holiday cards has become something of a secondary tradition. The 2024 card, for instance, utilized a computer-generated snowy GIF that felt modern to some and jarring to others. That release was particularly heavy with subtext, as it coincided with Princess Catherine sharing a brave, pre-recorded video announcing she had completed chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis in March 2024.

When you view the 2025 card through that lens—the lens of a family that has spent the last twelve months fighting a private and terrifying battle—the sunshine makes a lot more sense.

Why a “Brutal” Year Called for a Sunny Photo

To understand why William and Kate might choose a photo of themselves sitting in the sun rather than huddled by a fire, we have to look at the context of their lives over the past year. By all accounts, 2024 was not just difficult; it was life-altering.

In a candid moment during a visit to Cape Town, Prince William dropped his royal guard and described the year with a single, heavy word: “Brutal.”

According to reports from Sky News, the Prince opened up about the emotional toll the year had taken on him, his wife, and his father, King Charles, who has also faced health challenges.

“It’s been dreadful. It’s probably been the hardest year of my life,” William told reporters in an interview that was startlingly raw for a future monarch. “So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”

Catherine, usually the picture of stoic grace, also allowed the public a glimpse into her vulnerability. Earlier this year, she revealed that she had fully recovered from cancer, a diagnosis that had shocked the world and sent the family into a protective cocoon. Since that diagnosis, the Princess has largely stayed out of the public eye, prioritizing her health and her children over royal engagements.

When you consider this, the April photo takes on a new meaning. It captures a moment of relief. It was taken in the spring—a season of rebirth, of life returning after a long, cold winter. The symbolism is almost deafening. They didn’t want to show a cold, dark winter scene because they have been living through a metaphorical winter all year. They wanted to show the light.

Catherine has been in remission since January, marking the start of a hopeful new chapter. The photo isn’t just a Christmas card; it’s a proof of life, a testament to resilience, and a declaration that the sun has finally come out for the Wales family.

A Tradition That Connects the Palace to the People

While the style of the photo may change, the intent behind it remains the same. The tradition of sending holiday greetings is deeply detailed in British history, dating back to the early 19th century.

It was actually Queen Victoria’s children who were among the first to craft handmade cards, some of which are still preserved by the Royal Collection Trust today. However, the modern iteration—the mass-produced official family photo sent to well-wishers and released to the press—really began with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

They saw the value in connecting with the public during the holidays. It was a way to humanize the monarchy, to show that beneath the crowns and the titles, they were a family that gathered together at the end of the year just like anyone else.

Today, that connection is more vital than ever. In an era where the monarchy is constantly questioned, these glimpses of humanity are the glue that keeps the public engaged. Whether people are critiquing the lack of snow or praising the love in William’s eyes, they are engaging. They care. And for the Royal Family, that relevance is currency.

New Homes and New Beginnings

The choice of image also aligns with the physical changes happening in their lives. The family has recently moved into Forest Lodge, a stunning eight-bedroom residence in Windsor Great Park. This move symbolizes a fresh start, a step away from the memories of the past year and into a future focused on healing and growth.

Despite the challenges, Catherine has slowly begun to return to the work she loves. She recently hosted her fifth Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. This event has become her signature holiday contribution, a night dedicated to celebrating community heroes who make a difference in the lives of others.

Seeing her at the service, looking healthy and vibrant, reinforced the message of the Christmas card: The Princess is back, and the family is standing strong.

Christmas Plans with the King and Queen

So, where will the family actually be when the presents are opened? Tradition dictates that the royals gather at Sandringham, the private country estate of the monarch.

Prince William, Princess Catherine, and their three children are expected to spend Christmas Day there with King Charles and Queen Camilla, according to reports from the BBC. This gathering will likely be more poignant this year than most, given the health scares that have plagued both the King and the Princess of Wales.

Speaking of the King, he and Queen Camilla released their own Christmas card on December 7, and interestingly, they followed a similar pattern to the Waleses. Their portrait was also taken in April—specifically on April 10—but the setting was quite different.

The King and Queen’s photo was captured at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome, Italy. The shot was taken to mark their 20th wedding anniversary, a significant milestone for the couple.

Their card is framed in a dark, regal red and bears a traditional, timeless message:

“Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”

The contrast between the two cards is telling. The King’s is formal, diplomatic, and rooted in his role as a statesman abroad. The Wales’s card is domestic, intimate, and rooted in their role as parents and survivors. Both, however, were captured in the spring—perhaps a subconscious agreement between father and son that this year, they wanted to remember the brighter days.

The Verdict

In the end, a Christmas card is just a piece of cardstock (or a pixelated image on a screen). But for the Royal Family, it is a historical document. The 2025 card will be remembered not because it lacked snow, but because it was the image chosen to represent the year the family fought their way back to the light.

The critics asking “Where are Kathy’s legs?” or complaining about the grass are engaging in the time-honored tradition of British grumbling, but beneath the snark, there is a collective sigh of relief. The children look happy. William looks like a protective father. And Catherine looks well.

After a “brutal” year, maybe a little sunshine is exactly what everyone needed this Christmas.

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