The Prince and Princess of Wales have revealed their Christmas card for 2024, which carries deep personal meaning and marks a significant moment in their lives following a challenging year.
The card features a family photograph taken by filmmaker Will Warr, captured during a video released earlier this year when Catherine, the Princess of Wales, announced the end of her chemotherapy treatment after a cancer diagnosis.
The image showcases Prince William and Catherine alongside their three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—in the Norfolk countryside.
The video, which was shared with the public in August, highlighted the family’s resilience through a difficult period, with Catherine’s voiceover emphasizing the importance of family support during hard times.
Her message, “out of darkness can come light,” has resonated with many as a symbol of hope and strength.
The card, which has already been sent out to the couple’s contacts and now shared on social media, carries the message: “Wishing you a Happy Christmas and New Year.”
This sentiment reflects the family’s desire to bring a message of joy and positivity after a year that Prince William described as the “hardest year” of his life.
In an interview, he referred to the period as “brutal,” referencing the toll of Catherine’s health battle on their family.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have continued to embrace a more personal and relatable approach to their public image.
Their choice to use a photograph taken from a deeply personal video contrasts with traditional royal imagery, opting instead for a relaxed family picture that reflects their ongoing journey through adversity.
Following her chemotherapy, Catherine has gradually returned to her royal duties, with notable appearances including a visit to meet the families affected by the Southport knife attack in October.
She also hosted a Christmas carol service in Westminster Abbey earlier this month, where some of the bereaved families were among the guests.
The emotional video, which accompanied Catherine’s health update in September, marked a departure from more formal royal communications, as it conveyed an unashamedly raw and emotional message.
“Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown,” she said in the voiceover, accompanied by images of the family in Norfolk, a backdrop that emphasized both strength and togetherness.
In contrast to the royal family’s more traditional holiday gatherings, the Prince and Princess of Wales are spending Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk this year, having missed the pre-Christmas royal luncheon at Buckingham Palace.
The absence of the Duke and Duchess of York, due to the controversy surrounding the Duke’s alleged connections to a Chinese spy, added another layer of complexity to the royal family’s holiday celebrations.
This year’s card follows a similar theme to previous years, where informal family images took precedence over formal royal portraits.
Last year’s card featured a stylish black-and-white photograph of the family, exuding a casual yet elegant vibe, much like an upscale jeans advertisement.
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s card, however, portrays a more traditional royal image, featuring the couple outdoors shortly after the King’s return to public duties.
The continued personal approach of the Prince and Princess of Wales, especially in their Christmas messaging, highlights their ongoing commitment to connecting with the public while navigating the private challenges they have faced over the past year.
