Royal Christmas cards 2025

[wordler]

Thought it might be nice to have one lighthearted thread in the topic!

Feel free to update with any as they are released.

The older ones from the late Queen and Philip had their monograms on the outside (front) of the otherwise plain card.

I think it’s simply a continuation of an old tradition that used to be more common for regular people when most people didn’t have their own cameras so would go to portrait studios for an annual image to send to their families.

When my grandma (northern working class) died I found a huge bag of these types of cards dating back to the 30s - a bit like the Royal cards they were typically on cream card stock, the front was blank or had an embossed logo of the photo studio, then inside was the portrait and on the left inside they would write a message - ‘with love at Christmas’ etc.

Looks like if you have one that’s signed in ink by the late Queen it might be worth some money - this one from the 70s went for over £3000 at auction!

Also shows the front of card in pics

www.juliensauctions.com/en/items/110503/queen-elizabeth-ii-1976-signed-christmas-card

Wordler, a bit before the 30s, I have a postcard carrying a portrait photo of my great aunt, and sent to my grandfather and my grandmother 'with best wishes for Christmas and a prosperous 1913'. It wasn't a case of arrogance or self-importance. She didn't have a camera, most likely at that time. She probably also sent a copy to American relations, with whom she always kept in touch. Photos of self weren't ten a penny and you couldn't buy packs of cards. Yes, I think the plebeians sent pics of themselves as well as the patricians.

Belgian royal family 2025 Christmas card picture

Have I missed it in the thread... have we seen Kate & William's card?

I don't like this one, none of them look particularly happy. Charlene never does, but the rest don't in this either. It looks forced.

The Belgian RF has been superimposed onto that background.

when Catherine did some jiggery-pokery with her family photo she got all kinds of shit. I couldn't understand what all the fuss was about but hey ho.

That was my first thought too. Looked photoshopped, and not well.

Princess Charlene's head also looks 'pasted on' in the Monaco photo.

Oh finally….

Why do none of them do anything Christmassy?! A photo taken in April isn’t a Christmas card!

I assume that it makes it easier to proof and print the official card to get it out in the mail in time for Christmas - they send thousands of cards out so it’s probably a huge logistical challenge made easier by choosing a photo by at least Sept.

The alternative would be to ‘set up’ a Christmas scene in July.

Im in the US and a lot of the hurry for people to get their decorations up at the end of November as soon as Thanksgiving is over is to take a ‘Christmassy’ family photo for the Christmas card.

It’s a lovely photo, and I could easily have believed it was taken later in the year judging by their clothes, if it hadn’t been for the telltale daffodils in the background. I love how Charlotte is leaning on William’s shoulder. I get the impression she’s a proper daddy’s girl.

It’s not as if they don’t have the money to do a photoshoot and get it printed by November.

But people would work out that it was a ‘photo shoot’ and then there would be loads of people picking apart that they wasted money setting up a ‘fake’ winter photo.

I don’t think they can win!

But there wouldn’t. They’re not these eternal victims

Were you not around when the Mother’s Day photo happened and the shit storm that surrounded it?

It’s prob seem as non U & a bit common to ‘try’ with tinsel & indeed anything too festive at Christmas.

I could easily have believed it was taken later in the year judging by their clothes, if it hadn’t been for the telltale daffodils in the background.

And Louis' missing teeth. I assume he's got his new ones by now.

You mean the heavily edited photo? That’s a bit different to taking a photo in October!

Probably but it would be fun to see the Wales all in matching Christmas pajamas with Santa hats!

Heavily edited? 🤣

What, a few touch ups on an amateur photo that her husband took? It’s not as if she added people who weren’t there or changed the background. You’ve actually just contradicted your own point there: people clearly did care when they ‘deceived’ the public with their photos, and apparently they still do 🤣🤦🏼‍♀️

And how is editing a photo any different from portraying Christmas in October, when most places would still have Halloween decorations up? That would still be misleading. If it weren’t for the daffodils in the background (and, as someone upthread pointed out, Louis’s gap toothed smile) you’d never know this photo wasn’t taken in October or November, based on what they’re wearing.

Absolutely - maybe they have a fun one for close friends & fam! I would.

It was hardly “ heavily edited”!

There’s plenty of evidence to show it was pretty photoshopped!

I can just imagine Kate saying, 'Is the photo not giving Happy Easter vibes?'
And William saying, 'Meh, it'll do. We don't want to come across as 'tryhards' like Charlene and Albert!'