Family photos have long been a Christmas tradition, and the royal family has followed that pattern for generations. Every year, a holiday card is released to mark the season and offer a small glimpse into family life. Most years, the images pass by with little debate.
That was not the case this time. When Prince William and Princess Catherine shared their 2025 Christmas card, people quickly noticed something unusual. The reaction online was fast, and not everyone agreed the photo felt right for the moment.
The image was released through Kensington Palace’s social media accounts. It shows William and Catherine seated on grass in Norfolk, surrounded by flowers, with their three children gathered close. The scene feels calm and warm, more like spring than late December.
Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, are all pressed in toward their parents. Charlotte rests her head on William’s shoulder while holding his arm. Louis leans against his father, and Catherine wraps an arm around George.
The message printed on the card is brief and familiar. It reads, “Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.” While many people liked the simplicity of the words, the image itself became the focus of attention rather than the greeting.
Some viewers praised the closeness of the family and said the photo felt genuine and relaxed. Others questioned why there were no winter elements at all. One person asked, “Where is the Christmas?” and similar comments followed quickly.
Another wrote, “Very lovely – but not very seasonal is it? The children change so much, so fast, it would be lovely to have a more recent picture IMHO.” A few went further and questioned whether the image had been edited.
One comment asked, “Has there been more photoshopping?” while others pointed out details they felt looked odd. Several people also noted that the photo did not appear recent and suggested it had been taken much earlier in the year.
That assumption turned out to be correct. The portrait was taken back in April by photographer Josh Shinner. It came from the same photo shoot used earlier to mark Prince George’s 12th birthday and Prince Louis’ seventh.
This was not the first time a royal Christmas card raised eyebrows. The 2024 card also drew attention when it included a computer-generated snowy image, released around the time Catherine shared that she had completed chemotherapy.
After a difficult year, the family has kept a lower profile. William described 2024 as “brutal,” and Catherine later confirmed she had recovered from cancer. Despite the criticism, the card appears to reflect a quieter chapter as they prepare to spend Christmas with the King and Queen at Sandringham.
