On December 6, 2025, Buckingham Palace unveiled the official Christmas card for King Charles III and Queen Camilla, a tradition that has come to mark the festive season for royal watchers across the globe. This year’s card, steeped in personal significance, features a photograph captured in April during the royal couple’s state visit to Italy—a trip that also marked their 20th wedding anniversary.
The image, taken by renowned royal photographer Chris Jackson, shows the King and Queen standing arm-in-arm along a sun-dappled garden path at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome. Both are smiling, their arms linked, exuding a sense of warmth and togetherness that echoes the festive message inside: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.” According to BBC, the choice of setting and the couple’s relaxed posture offer a more intimate glimpse of the monarchs compared to previous years’ cards.
King Charles, 77, is dressed in a blue pin-striped suit with a grey tie, while Queen Camilla, 78, wears a white and beige coat dress by London couturier Anna Valentine. The Queen’s ensemble is completed by a Lily of the Valley brooch—an heirloom once belonging to the Queen Mother, symbolizing enduring love. As reported by CNN, the brooch’s presence is a subtle tribute to family legacy and royal continuity, themes that have often underscored the monarchy’s public image.
Buckingham Palace, in a statement accompanying the release, said the photo was selected to commemorate the couple’s two decades of marriage and their ongoing commitment to royal duty. The palace noted, “Buckingham Palace is pleased to release the Christmas card that Their Majesties will be sharing this year to celebrate the festive period.” The choice of Villa Wolkonsky as the backdrop—lush, historic, and deeply tied to British diplomacy—adds a layer of international goodwill to the annual tradition.
This marks the King’s fourth Christmas card as monarch. The tradition of royal Christmas cards dates back over a century, with some historians tracing the first official cards to King George V and Queen Mary during World War I, when they sent messages of goodwill to troops and their families. However, the Royal Trust Collection points to 1843 as the year the very first Christmas cards were sent, following the introduction of the ‘penny post.’ Members of the Royal Family have often selected recent family photographs for their personal cards, a practice that continues to this day.
The evolution of these cards over the years reflects not only changing times but also the shifting dynamics within the royal family. The King and Queen’s first Christmas card as monarch and consort in 2022 featured a candid image taken at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in Scotland, just days before the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. The following year, a formal portrait was chosen, showing the couple in their robes and crowns in the throne room at Buckingham Palace on the day of their coronation. The 2024 card, by contrast, was more relaxed, depicting the couple in the gardens of Buckingham Palace as the King returned to public duties after his cancer treatment. That photograph was taken by Millie Pilkington, capturing the couple in a moment of quiet togetherness, surrounded by blooming spring flowers.
According to The Daily Mail, the 2025 card’s photograph stands out for its informality and its personal resonance. The intertwined arms and genuine smiles signal a partnership rooted in affection and mutual support, qualities that have been increasingly emphasized in the couple’s public appearances. The Queen’s choice of the Lily of the Valley brooch, with its history as a family heirloom, further reinforces the card’s sentimental value.
The release of the Christmas card is more than a seasonal gesture; it is a carefully curated moment that blends tradition, personal narrative, and public relations. Each year, the royal couple signs hundreds of cards by hand, sending them to family, friends, world leaders, and organizations. This year’s card, as BBC notes, is expected to reach recipients across the globe, carrying with it a message of hope and continuity at a time when such sentiments are especially cherished.
The photograph’s timing also coincided with a significant moment during the royal couple’s state visit to Italy. As reported by CNN, King Charles and Queen Camilla had an unexpected meeting with the now-late Pope Francis at the Vatican, where the pontiff extended his good wishes to the couple on their anniversary. This encounter, though not depicted on the card, added to the sense of international camaraderie and goodwill that the image seeks to convey.
The broader royal family has also been active in the Christmas season. The Prince and Princess of Wales attended a carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 5, 2025, celebrating “love in all its forms,” according to Kensington Palace. The event, hosted by Catherine, Princess of Wales, since 2021, honored individuals across the UK who have led initiatives to bring communities together or offered support to those in need. In a letter to guests, the Princess wrote, “Christmas is a time that reminds us how deeply our lives are woven together.”
The tradition of royal Christmas cards has also become a subject of historical fascination. In 2023, a remarkable collection of cards spanning from 1953 to 1989 was auctioned, offering a visual chronicle of the royal family’s evolution over four decades. As The Daily Mail recounted, the collection included images of three generations—from the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to a young Charles with his own children. These cards, once the private keepsakes of Sir Philip John Row, former Deputy Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth II, now serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of royal memorabilia and the public’s ongoing interest in the monarchy’s personal milestones.
Reflecting on the role of royal photographers, Chris Jackson—who has been entrusted with capturing many of the family’s most significant moments—was also behind the now-iconic photo marking Charles’ 70th birthday in 2018. The trust placed in Jackson for this year’s card underscores the importance the royal couple places on both consistency and artistry in documenting their journey together.
As the festive season unfolds, the 2025 Christmas card from King Charles and Queen Camilla stands as both a celebration of personal milestones and a continuation of a cherished royal tradition. With its blend of intimacy, history, and goodwill, the card offers a window into the lives of the monarchy—reminding recipients and observers alike of the enduring ties that bind family, nation, and tradition.
