As Christmas draws near, the streets sparkle with festive lights, mince pies fill the air with their sweet scent, and Advent calendars are front and center in store windows, marking the official countdown to the holiday season. Amidst the cheer, anticipation grows for a special message from Princess Catherine and Prince William, who are expected to release their 2024 Wales family Christmas card soon.
One thing's for certain—Princess Catherine and Prince William’s upcoming card will likely feature a cozy family photo with their children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. According to royal expert Ingrid Seward, this year’s card will subtly convey that the Princess is putting her cancer battle behind her. Seward speculates that Catherine will share a heartfelt, intimate family moment, emphasizing the fresh start she is embracing with the upcoming holiday season.
Typically, the family poses for a photo together, and Seward predicts that the image will show Catherine embracing her children closely, sending a quiet message of hope and positivity as they enter the new year. This sweet, uplifting image will likely convey the family’s resilience as they move forward from a difficult chapter.
Until the royal Christmas card is unveiled, let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable festive moments from the Wales family in recent years. In 2017, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge opted for a relaxed and intimate setting in their Christmas card, departing from the traditional studio portrait in favor of a family photo taken in front of a woodpile, sitting on haystacks. The setting was simple, yet the warmth of the moment radiated through, highlighting the family’s close bond and love for one another.
In their 2020 holiday card, their youngest son, Louis, stole the spotlight with his infectious smile and animated expression. Meanwhile, Prince George looked more reserved, and Princess Charlotte beamed with a full grin and her signature pigtails. Their parents, Prince William and Catherine, shared genuine smiles, radiating pride in their happy and healthy family.
In 2021, the family traveled to Jordan, a place with special significance to them, for a Christmas photo in a desert-like landscape. Dressed in neutral tones, with the children sporting playful blue checks, the family sat together on embroidered furniture and a sheepskin rug, creating a striking and memorable image of unity and love.
The Wales family's 2022 Christmas card was notably significant, as it marked the first holiday season since King Charles III’s ascension to the throne. William and Catherine officially took on the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales, and the card showcased this new chapter. The photo featured the entire family, casually dressed for a sunny stroll, with the children wearing shorts and sneakers. It was taken by photographer Matt Porus in Norfolk.
In 2023, the Wales family shared a black-and-white photo that captured the family together in Windsor, dressed in jeans and button-down shirts. The card, however, faced some online backlash after sharp-eyed social media users noticed odd editing mistakes—missing hands and feet—which reportedly embarrassed the couple. This incident followed an earlier controversy surrounding a photoshopped Mother’s Day image, and it’s likely that this year’s Christmas card will be more carefully edited to avoid such issues.
While the exact date is never set in stone, the Wales family typically releases their Christmas card during the first or second week of December. With all eyes on the family this holiday season, fans are eagerly awaiting the 2024 card to see how they will share their message of togetherness, resilience, and hope for the future.
