to think William and Kate's Christmascard this year was badly judged?

[tinkywinkyshandbag]

So not only has William been hectoring us about climate change and sustainable travel, but there's been a pandemic which has been a pandemic which for many people has been financially devastating, and for most of us a holiday seems a distant pipe dream. So this year of all years they have chosen a photo of themselves all looking tanned and relaxed on a (presumably free) holiday. Just feels a tad ill judged?

Can you imagine the outcry if it had been the other two ??

@ClaudiaJ1

I'm talking about people here in GB. We're used to chilly weather at this time of year and this is where K&W live.

Not discounting those in Australia, you have a voice on your Monarch too!

I just find it really strange and a bit too try hard. I think Kate is a good photographer, she could've done a great unstaged shot from their home in Norfolk.

And no I would not be criticising a photo in the English countryside as being boring, I love the english countryside!

Can you imagine the outcry if it had been the other two ??

We'd be on thread two by now!

They should have done one from an all inclusive fortnight in Dubai. Mum on a lounger, dad’s kite surfing, kids getting stuck into an ice cream buffet bar- maybe a group shot over some luridly coloured drinks with sparklers in

@oneglassandpuzzled I meant that it's a Royal Family rule, not in general. “Boys wear short trousers until they are eight,” Ingrid Seward, editor of Majesty magazine, told People. ““It is shorts until you’re eight and then ‘woo, you’re in long trousers’ … They suddenly feel very grown up.”

Though on further googling, I'm not sure if it's that men in the RF can't wear shorts, or it's more the boys can't wear trousers until age 8. So I could be wrong about it being a blanket ban for the men.

They never sent me one

Can't believe some people didn't even get one!

Can you imagine the outcry if it had been the other two ??

It would be off the scale 😆

The long trouser/short trouser thing comes from private and boarding schools.

@sashh I think William has the control for a wireless vibrator hidden behind Charlotte's back, that would account for the grin and his smug smile.

I hope you meant to say Kate, behind Kate's back, and not that he is using a vibrator on his daughter Charlotte?

And yes, if Harry and Meghan released the photo, they would be accused of everything under the sun.

@Roussette

The long trouser/short trouser thing comes from private and boarding schools.

That doesn’t mean that men from public schools never wear shorts after a certain age, though.

@julieca I know. But you keep claiming a photo taken in Petra is a Christmas setting because of Jesus. Jesus was born 155 km away from where this photo was taken in a site that has nothing to do with Christianity.

155km away is still pretty close, compared with England or America. Also Jesus was a Jew so the Christianity argument is neither here nor there. They're in the Middle East. Which is where Jesus was born. Only 155kms away from the site. So, it counts as such, imo. But I can understand the argument that it doesn't count.

I think it's a lovely photograph. I don't give a stuff that it was taken in Jordan, where would you prefer, Benidorm or the usual boring country bumpkin scenes? As for the criticism of a smiling happy family moment can we all just cop on to ourselves please.

Would love to see some of YOUR family photos if you are so perfect, let the rest of the dissatisfied mumsnet vipers judge you and bitch about your motives, lifestyle, marriage and children just from your appearance alone.

It just makes me support all the more becoming a Republic when the Queen dies. I do not want an adulterer as "king" and if rumours are true Wills is as bad as his dad.

I think a holiday photo when I've been stuck on 2 years of UK breaks is galling

Would love to see some of YOUR family photos if you are so perfect,

why do people keep saying this? Readers on this thread are not royals releasing xmas cards, it's not comparable. Why would you think anyone would have to be perfect or anywhere near it to have a opinion on the RF?

Really can't get over excited about it. It's a lovely (staged) family photo taken on a (very expensive foreign) family holiday.

They control photos of their kids very carefully and only release pics around twice a year (birthdays and Christmas). People will always b*tch about something - Kate's clothes, the kids' clothes, not enough press exposure, too much press exposure, not smiling, smiling in the wrong way, too perfect looking...

So many other things in life to get hyped about. Where W&K's Christmas card photo was taken is not one of them.

There’s something about Charlotte. She looks sensible and determined and no nonsense. Interesting. I agree with a pp that she might jump over the wall in future.

I’m not anti monarchy at all, usually don’t give them any thought but I am beginning to wonder how this one will survive. Sometimes it feels to me as though we’ve put a bunch of random people in the stocks, or in Bedlam but told ourselves that we’ve given them loads of money to be there so it’s okay to pelt them with rotten veg.

Perhaps I’m overthinking this.

I don't think you are overthinking this at all. I look at the picture and think 'poor kids' and see George smiling and think... do you realise what your life is going to be like, it's all mapped out for you and you're in camouflage probably because you're off to the military whether you like it or not.
And I look at Charlotte and Louis and think... get out when you can. And I look at all the kids and think... make the most of this time because in a few years your life is not your own. This is freedom. It won't last

I'm overthinking it!

Sometimes it feels to me as though we’ve put a bunch of random people in the stocks, or in Bedlam but told ourselves that we’ve given them loads of money to be there so it’s okay to pelt them with rotten veg.

The dynamic is so strange! People hate M&H and seem to take it personally as if their own family is the hurt party. There is a weird sense of ownership.

@PigeonLittle

To save someone a Google

Thanks.

Yeah, it's not terribly festive either. Just a random family photo.

Hot sun in a holiday destination which so many have missed for two years

Lots of people did do that this year. Some have never had that luxury. Some are struggling to clothe themselves or their kids and the outfits they are all wearing here probably cost more than most make in a month.

You can pick a “tone deaf” argument with pretty much anything they would have chosen for a photo. Seems like just another excuse to bash them.

Readers on this thread are not royals releasing xmas cards, it's not comparable. Why would you think anyone would have to be perfect or anywhere near it to have a opinion on the RF?

It can be comparable. Many people do this. If people send a picture card to friends and family, or do one of those round robin letters, or whenever they post holiday snaps or photos on Facebook, do they stop and think how it is going to be received no everyone on their feed?

I do not want an adulterer as "king" and if rumours are true Wills is as bad as his dad.

I believe Hitler was faithful to his wife. I’m thinking adultery isn’t the worst thing a head of state can do.

No @BoredZelda the point is they are Royals hence why their official xmas card has been released to the press. It's not the same as Wendy mocking up her own one & putting it on facebook. Although no one is obliged to like Wendy's version either. You can't see the difference?

@Happylittlethoughts

Thought it was an I'm a Celebrity shot. 🤣 Just curious about Kate's long sleeve super love. Looks odd in this shot , any particular reason?

She was in JORDAN - respect for the local culture ! 🙄