The release of the annual Christmas card from the Prince and Princess of Wales usually marks the official start of the holiday season for royal watchers. However, this year’s offering from Prince William and Kate Middleton has sparked an online debate, with reactions ranging from love to critiques about the family's demeanor as well as the photo’s timing.
The image, shared to their official social media channels, features the couple alongside their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The caption remained brief and festive: “Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.” The palace also credited the photographer, noting, “? @joshshinner, April 2025.” While the portrait was intended to spread cheer, the decision to use a spring photograph for a winter greeting — and the specific body language captured — has become a major talking point.
For millions of supporters, the image was a welcome glimpse into the lives of the future King and Queen. Instagram comments flooded the post immediately, praising the family's unity. One enthusiastic fan wrote, “Merry Christmas to the most beautiful inspiring family,” while another added, “What a beautiful picture!! I absolutely love it.” Observers were quick to note the warmth radiating from the group, with one commenter telling the couple, “Such a beautiful family photo - I can feel the love you have for each other.”
However, the reaction was more critical on other corners of the internet. Discussion threads on Reddit dissected the aesthetic choices, with some users feeling the image lacked the grandeur expected of royalty. One user argued, “And it Looks like every single card they ever release. Could have come from dept store photographer. Cute matching kids. Nothing else of note.”
View this post on InstagramMany fans called out the timing of the shoot. "Ah yes, daffodils. The flowers of Christmas," one commenter wrote. The credit confirmed the photo was taken in April 2025, leading to confusion about why a spring aesthetic was chosen for a December greeting.
“I don't get how they live in castles with picture-perfect castle backdrops for Christmas and they use a Spring picture?” one user questioned. Others pointed out that this seems to be a recurring strategy for the Wales family, who often batch-create content to minimize media intrusion into their children's lives. “They have a history of using photos from one shoot for multiple occasions,” a savvy observer noted. “This one is from George’s and Louis’s birthday photos this year. The other year, with jeans walking on a path, was from Father’s Day or something. Or it was from something else and used for Father’s Day. They all blend together.”
Perhaps the most intense scrutiny was reserved for the body language displayed by William and Kate. While the family appeared coordinated, internet sleuths claimed the expressions told a different story. “William looks like he’s in pain,” one user bluntly stated. "William is grimacing. Dude, you chose to get married and have kids," agreed another commenter.
Deeper analysis from the online community suggested a fascinating subversion of traditional royal posing, starkly contrasting with their 2023 black-and-white studio portrait where William stood tall and more central. This year, the geometry shifted.
View this post on Instagram“What’s interesting is that William and Kate have switched traditional gendered positions here,” a user analyzed. “Kate is the dominant one, more removed from everyone but above them and holding the family together, sort of the patriarch. Whereas William is the one slouched down and holding the children close in sort of a motherly pose.”
Ultimately, the polish of the photo couldn't hide what some interpreted as underlying fatigue. One comment summarized the mood by looking past the smiles to the eyes of the subjects.
“None of them look actually happy in their eyes, but that’s probably just the stress of the moment. Taking photos is so artificial, especially with kids.” As the holiday season continues, the photo stands as a reminder of the intense microscope the Wales family lives under, where even a simple seasonal greeting is analyzed for hidden meaning.
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