Royals

25 of the best royal Christmas cards over the years

A picture paints a thousand words...
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The countdown to Christmas is well underway, and royal fans are treated each year to a new photo of the royal family – thanks to their annual royal Christmas card.

The Christmas cards have served as an annual nod of gratitude and best wishes, but royal Christmas cards are also a poignant reminder of how royal life has changed over the years.

Last year, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a gorgeous photograph of their family in the grounds of their country home, with adorable little Louis making his debut, while Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan released a previously unseen photo from their wedding reception and we’ve certainly got our fingers crossed this year we’ll see seven-month-old Archie make a Christmas card appearance.

Since it’s the season to be merry, we look at some of the best royal Christmas card photos over the years…

The Queen, along with Prince Philip and their Children Princess Anne and Prince Charles, posed for their 1956 Christmas card aboard the royal yacht Britannia.

The Queen and Prince Philip sent this card out in 1960, posing on a rug on the lawns of Balmoral Castle with their children Princess Anne, Prince Charles and a bonny wee baby Prince Andrew. With obligatory corgis in tow, of course.

The royal family looked like they were having a good time in their 1969 Christmas card! The Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward happily pose aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia – their children piled upon a speedboat.

This card from 1972 shows the Queen signed it using her nickname Lilibet, a name only used with her close friends and family.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana sent this Christmas card out 1981 following their wedding.

What a difference a year makes! Their card following year in 1982 showed them with a new addition to their family – baby William.

Proud father Charles looks on as Diana poses with William on a swing in their 1983 Christmas card.

Charles and Diana chose a formal setting for their 1984 Christmas card with a two-year-old William and newborn baby Harry.

A happy Charles and Diana pose in a Scottish themed card in 1985 with William and Harry on a miniature pony.

1986 was another formal festive occasion for Charles and Diana, with a cheeky William and Harry and an adorable new puppy.

Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas card with Prince Philip and their grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry, and Zara and Peter Phillips in 1987.

They chose a rather serious photo for their 1990 offering.

Following his separation from Princess Diana, Prince Charles posed with Prince William and Prince Harry for this card in 1994.

Princess Diana chose a more formal, but also relaxed photo for her 1994 card.

Prince Charles with a potted Prince William and Prince Harry in their official card in 1995.

United: The royal family’s 1998 Christmas card, the year after Diana’s death.

Growing boys: Prince Charles with Prince William and Prince Harry in 1999.

Prince Charles, along with Prince Harry and Prince William, sent this fun card in 2003, shot by Diana’s favourite photographer Mario Testino.

Charles and Camilla used a photo from their wedding day on their 2005 card.

Eight years of marriage under their belts and Charles and Camilla looked more in love than ever in their 2013 Christmas card photo.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s 2016 Christmas card featured the pair on a royal tour of Croatia.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released this stunning photo of themselves and Prince George and Prince Charlotte in 2015.

The 2017 photo shows the foursome impeccably coordinated in blue hues and beaming grins.

sussexes christmas card 2018

For their first royal Christmas card as a married couple in 2018, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan shared a beautiful black and white image from their wedding reception at Frogmore House in May. And you bet we’ve got our fingers crossed little Archie will make an appearance on their Christmas card this year!

cambridge family christmas card 2018

Last year Prince Louis made his royal Christmas card debut, in this remarkable casual yet adorable photograph of the Cambridges at their country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk.

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