Prince William and Kate release poignant Christmas card after ‘brutal’ year

Prince William and Kate Middleton have shared their annual Christmas card with the world on social media.

The card is a snowy animation showing the young family, including Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine and Prince Louis, six, together on the grounds of Anmer Hall, their family home in Norfolk.

Royal watchers may recognise the outfits and settings, photographed by Will Warr.

The image originally comes from Princess Kate’s emotional September announcement that she had completed chemotherapy treatment.

Instead of organising a new photo shoot, which Kate usually does, she chose an existing image that represented her emergence from a difficult time.

The Princess of Wales underwent surprise abdominal surgery in January, where cancerous cells were discovered, then quickly entered treatment.

In March, she announced her diagnosis to the world.

At the same time, King Charles was also diagnosed with cancer.

Last month, Prince William said the cancer diagnoses of Princess Kate and his father were “brutal” but that he was “so proud” of both.

Fans have eagerly been waiting for the Christmas card, with many flocking to social media asking the royals when it was coming, given it was released a little late this year.

The photo amassed a number of comments, with many wishing the family a healthy new year.

“Perfect Christmas card for everyone who watched the video. Have a blessed and healthy celebration,” one user wrote on Instagram.

“I hope the joy of Princess Catherine’s recovery makes this the most special one [Christmas] yet,” another said.

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall were absent from King Charles’s annual Christmas luncheon on Thursday local time.

Loading…

Here’s a look at the other Christmas cards for 2024.

King Charles and Queen Camilla

The King and Queen also shared their holiday card earlier this month.

The 2024 holiday greeting features a photo of the royal couple, taken by photographer Millie Pilkington this past April, in the gardens at Buckingham Palace.

The image appears to have been taken at the same time as the picture that was released in April announcing that the King would be returning to public-facing duties.

The couple’s 2024 card is less formal than last year’s, which was taken on the day of the King’s coronation.

Prince Harry and Meghan

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Christmas card featured six photos of the couple, including a rare image of Archie and Lilibet.

The two young children have been kept away from the public eye by the couple — and their faces remain out of sight in the photo.

The 2024 holiday card is the first time since 2021 that their kids have been included.

The Sussexes stepped down as senior royals in January 2020. While they have kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles, they are no longer addressed as his or her royal highness (HRH).

Princess Anne

Princess Anne’s release of her annual Christmas card was a low-key affair.

The photograph was shared by the Reliant Motor Club — of which Princess Anne is an honorary member — on their Facebook page.

The message inside read: “With best wishes for a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year, from Anne.”

The card featured an image of the princess with her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, taken on Garter Day back in June.

Who gets a royal Christmas card?

Senior royals regularly release Christmas images used to decorate official festive cards that are sent to friends, family, members of the royal household and colleagues.

British and Commonwealth prime ministers, governors-general and high commissions may also be sent one.

According to the BBC, around 2,700 Christmas cards from the king and queen will be sent to people across the globe. It takes them several days to personally sign all of them.

>read more at © abc news

Views: 1