What royal Christmas cards reveal about private palace life

As the countdown to Christmas begins, royal fans have been gifted with an adorable new family portrait from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge just in time for the holidays.

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

Venture down this time warp and look at some of the best royal Christmas card photos from the past few decades and see what they reveal about life inside the palace.

1 / 22

Prince Charles and Princess Diana marriage played out in the royal Christmas cards the pair sent.

2 / 22

Princess Diana and Prince Charles used their wedding photo as their Christmas card for 1981.

3 / 22

Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1982 card showed them with baby Prince William.

4 / 22

Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1983 Christmas card with Prince William as a toddler.

5 / 22

Smiles all around for Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s 1985 Christmas card with Prince William and Prince Harry.

6 / 22

A card from the Queen Mother, posed at the Castle of Mey, with her beloved corgis in 1986.

7 / 22

Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Prince William playing happy families in 1986.

8 / 22

The Queen and Prince Philip looking regal as ever in 1989.

9 / 22

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

10 / 22

The Queen and Prince Philip were photographed alone for their 1995 card as their two sons’ marriages were in the process of breaking down. Prince Charles and Prince Andrew split from Diana and Sarah respectively in the following year.

11 / 22

Prince Charles posed with Prince William and Prince Harry without Princess Diana for this card in 1994.

12 / 22

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

13 / 22

United: The royal family’s first card after Diana’s death.

14 / 22

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

15 / 22

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

16 / 22

Prince Charles and Camilla’s 2010 Christmas card is apres fun!

17 / 22

Prince Charles and Camilla chose a very casual image for their 2008 card.

18 / 22

Going strong: Prince Charles and Camilla’s 2011 Christmas card picture was a picture on the balcony at Duchess Catherine and Prince William’s wedding.

19 / 22

This is one happy family! Prince Albert and Princess Charlene are pictured with their twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

20 / 22

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles’ 2012 Christmas card was a lovely shot of them on the royal barge during the Diamond Jubilee river pageant in June that year.