Every year during Christmas, the British royal family presents their Christmas cards. The common feature of the selected photos is a joyful and pleasant atmosphere. “Bad moods don’t appear on postcards!” emphasized royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams, who explained that there is a specific symbolic reason behind this approach.
On the first of December, King Karol III. and Queen Camilla were the first to unveil their 2025 Christmas card. The photo the couple chose was taken in April in Italy, just before their 20th wedding anniversary. Similarly, Prince William and Princess Kate’s Christmas card, published on December 18, captures the whole family in a spring environment. The couple and their children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – sit on the grass among daffodils in bloom.
Just a day after them, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry presented their postcard, posing with their children – Archie and Lilibet. Since the family lives in California, their photo lacks winter scenery. But there’s a surprising reason why the British royal family’s Christmas cards – a tradition dating back to 1923 – never feature winter motifs.
According to royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams, who spoke to the Daily Mail, members of the royal family are deliberately choosing images with a warmer atmosphere to express optimism and strength as they enter the new year. “Their overall message has to be positive. If they were to pose in heavy winter clothing, it could be seen as symbolic, especially if the royal family has had a difficult year.” explained the expert.
Commenting on a postcard of the Prince and Princess of Wales, created by their resident photographer Josh Shinner, Fitzwilliams commented: “The background full of daffodils in nature has a healing and restorative effect, which is an integral part of the holidays. Especially now that Kate, who promotes children’s outdoor activities, is in remission after cancer treatment.’
Over the years, they created Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas cards. “a kaleidoscope of an extraordinary reign,” Fitzwilliams assessed, emphasizing that the queen knew how to perfectly combine formality with informality, images from interiors with exteriors. They had one thing in common – the photos were mostly taken in the summer. “Bad moods don’t appear on postcards!” added the expert with conviction.
This article comes from the Ringier publishing partner website. The content and data contained in it were taken without editorial intervention.
