William and Kate pose proudly with George, Charlotte and Louis in simple but stylish monochrome photo for their annual family Christmas card – a contrast with Charles and Camilla’s more formal coronation day image
- The Prince and Princess of Wales have chosen a relaxed image on their card
- The King and Queen opt for a formal photograph from the Coronation in May
- READ MORE: Royal fans gush over Prince George’s resemblance to his father
Prince William and Kate Middleton have released an intimate and relaxed family portrait of their family in matching white shirts that will appear on the front of their Christmas card this year.
The black and white image chosen by the Prince and Princess of Wales shows the pair smiling alongside sons Prince George, 10, Prince Louis, five and Princess Charlotte, eight, who is sat in a chair at the front of the group.
The three men and boys are dressed in matching plain shirts – George opting for a Ralph Lauren Polo number – and dark trousers, while Kate and Charlotte have swapped the trousers for denim jeans.
The King and Queen, meanwhile, have opted for a Coronation photograph taken at Buckingham Palace to grace their festive card, which will be sent to friends, family and colleagues.
The formal image, showing Charles and Camilla in the palace throne room following the ceremony in May, was taken by photographer Hugo Burnand who captured the couple standing side by side.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have opted for a relaxed personal photograph, taken by Yorkshire photographer Josh Shinner, for this year’s Christmas card
The King and Queen’s Christmas card is an altogether more formal affair, showing Charles and Camilla inside Buckingham Palace shortly after the coronation in May
The photograph was one of several taken of the King and Queen in full royal regalia on the day of the coronation (pictured: another of the series of pictures)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as they were known then, pose for an extremely relaxed Christmas card photograph in 2018
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ card last year (above) was a very relaxed affair – though the 2023 card remains far less formal than that distributed by the Prince’s father, King Charles
Charles and Diana posed for a similar photograph for their 1984 Christmas card – complete with a cheeky Prince William and a tiny Prince Harry, who was born in September that year
Charles wears the Imperial State Crown, while Camilla wears Queen Mary’s Crown; the King is also pictured wearing a coronation tunic and the robe of estate.
Made of purple silk velvet embroidered in gold, the robe was worn by King George VI in 1937.
READ MORE: Every way the Royal family’s Christmas will look very different this year – from first-time guests to a new location at Sandringham
The Queen is wearing her robe of estate made by Ede and Ravenscroft and designed and hand embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. She also wears her coronation dress designed by Bruce Oldfield.
It is the couple’s second Christmas card since Charles became King last year, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8 2002.
The first card of his reign featured an image of the King and Queen at the Braemar Games in Scotland on September 3, five days before his mother’s death, when he was still the Prince of Wales.
William, Kate and their children photographed at Windsor earlier this year by acclaimed photographer Josh Shinner.
This year’s card, while less formal than that issued by the King, shows more restraint than some of their previously issued season’s greetings.
William and Kate’s first card as Prince and Princess of Wales was a relaxed affair – showed the couple with George, Charlotte and Louis, all in trainers, on a stroll in Sandringham Estate, Norfolk.
It was shot by one of their favourite, and most trusted, photographers, Matt Porteous – and showed a relaxed Kate in jeans, a broderie anglaise shirt and Superga pumps.
William and George wore shirts and polo shirts from Ralph Lauren, and while the Prince of Wales opted for Jeans both George and Louis were dressed in chino shorts. Charlotte wore a denim playsuit embossed with decorations of strawberries.
Previous cards issued during their tenure as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were similarly relaxed and often colourful affairs, such as their 2018 card, in which they sat on a tree trunk in Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
It also continues a tradition of relaxed festive greetings by the Prince of Wales – cards issued by Charles and Diana were similarly informal affairs.
With its subtle backdrop, this year’s card bears a remarkable similarity to that issued by Charles and Diana 1984 – complete with a cheeky Prince William and a tiny Prince Harry, who was born in September that year.
The crowning of Charles and Camilla and the deeply religious ceremony in Westminster Abbey earlier this year was followed by a weekend of celebrations.
The couple took to the palace balcony to see the crowds, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and the coronation pages and Ladies in Attendance.
The event brought together around 100 heads of state, kings and queens from across the globe, celebrities, everyday heroes and family and friends of the couple.
The Princess of Wales was joined by her three children at Westminster Abbey on Friday, each holding candles ahead of her Together at Christmas carol service
Prince Louis helps blow out his sister’s candle at the end of the service
The release of this year’s Christmas cards comes after the Princess of Wales staged her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey on Friday.
The Together at Christmas concert had a star-studded guest list boasting the likes of singers Beverly Knight and Adam Lambert, actor Jim Broadbent and TV presenters Emma Willis and Roman Kemp.
It saw Kate steal the show as she led the royal family at the concert, which combined traditional and modern Christmas music.
READ MORE: Princess Beatrice’s stepson Wolfie makes his first Royal appearance with Charlotte and Louis, as well as Isla and Savannah Phillips at carol concert
The Princess of Wales was seen chatting to youngsters who had gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year.
And she had a special Christmas present of her own for guests at the concert – a rendition of Wham!’s Last Christmas, played on John Lennon’s piano.
The Beatle’s estate agreed to lend the instrument – which was used to compose and record iconic song Image – to the event as a sign of support for the service.
Among the large number of royal guests were Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice, her stepson Christopher Mapelli Mozzi and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Princess Eugenie, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips and his daughters Savannah and Isla.
Although he was not present due to a diary clash, the King donated Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park to decorate Westminster Abbey, which were donated to the local community after the service.
Prince Louis once again stole the show by blowing out his sister’s candle at the end of the ceremony.
A royal aide said the princess – who will not speak on the night but will feature in a pre-filmed introduction to be broadcast on Christmas Eve – hoped the service would remind people of ‘how precious’ the early years of a child’s life at a time when the world celebrates the birth of a newborn baby.
‘It is a reminder of how unique this time is, and how precious those early years are, as we start to form our very first relationships, bond with those closest to us, and explore the world in which we live,’ they said on Friday.
‘It also signifies hope. As we look to the future, we hope our children will grow up in a happier, healthier, fairer, kinder and more tolerant world. A world based on love and compassion.
‘This evening, Westminster Abbey will be filled with more than 1,500 inspiring people in appreciation of their selfless support as they work tirelessly to help the youngest members of our society to flourish.’
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