It is an enchanting image of a happy young family striding confidently toward the future.
The annual Christmas card from the Prince and Princess of Wales would, of course, have been chosen several months ago and follows a familiar theme, whereby the couple offer the public a glimpse of their rapidly growing trio of children – in thanks for the support they receive.
But what a contrast to the picture painted in recent days by Harry and Meghan of a dynasty hampered by the heavy weight of expectation and tradition – and where the men marry not for love, but to ‘fit the mould’.
And its irony is lost on no one, coming ahead of the second part of the Sussexes’ Netflix documentary tomorrow in which they are set to make a slew of allegations against the Royal Family.
The Waleses’ picture, taken in private on the royals’ Sandringham Estate in Norfolk earlier this year, was shot by one of their favourite – and trusted – photographers, Matt Porteous
What a contrast to the picture painted in recent days by Harry and Meghan (pictured) of a dynasty hampered by the heavy weight of expectation and tradition – and where the men marry not for love, but to ‘fit the mould’
It also serves as a reminder that Harry and Meghan’s claims they would have been forced to ‘offer up’ their own children for intrusive public consumption had they decided to remain in the UK are as dubious as some of the footage that features in their bombshell ‘docuseries’.
The Waleses’ picture, taken in private on the royals’ Sandringham Estate in Norfolk earlier this year, was shot by one of their favourite – and trusted – photographers, Matt Porteous.
It will feature on the front of hundreds of Christmas cards sent to family, friends, charities and organisations William and Kate are associated with.
The only other official pictures normally released each year are one on each of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ birthdays, again as a means of thanking the public. Almost always they are taken by Kate, a keen amateur photographer.
This year one extra photocall occurred when the three children started their new school in Berkshire together – as part of a major move to the country for the family – but otherwise their official appearances are a rarity, rather than a regular occurrence.
They normally go about their day-to-day business unbothered by photographers or the media, who respect their off-duty privacy and the children’s right to go to school out of the spotlight.
The picture shows the family hand in hand on a country walk in the summer sun. Causally dressed in jeans, trainers and an open-necked shirt, William holds the hand of his eldest son, George, nine. George, like his little brother, Louis, four, is sporting shorts, polo shirts and trainers.
Cheeky Louis, the stand-out star of his great-grandmother’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations back in June, has the same slightly mischievous grin and dark, tousled hair.
In between them is Princess Charlotte, seven, sporting an adorable blue denim playsuit embroidered with strawberries and red pom-poms and a pair of blue laceless canvas pumps.
King Charles III released his first Christmas card since ascending to throne on Sunday; The card features a photo of the King and Queen Consort pictured on September 3rd – five days before the Queen died – at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering
The Princess of Wales is elegantly casual in ankle-grazer jeans with a favourite white broderie anglaise shirt.
Releasing the picture yesterday, a Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘The Prince and Princess of Wales are delighted to share a new photograph of their family.’
Tomorrow the princess will be joined by the rest of the Royal Family – led by the King and Queen – for her Together at Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey in London in a show of unity as Harry and Meghan unleash their latest salvo.
This week’s trailer suggests the couple will blame Buckingham Palace for ‘institutional gaslighting’ and see Harry accuse the Establishment of lying to protect his brother at their expense.
It comes after the King released his first Christmas card as monarch on Sunday, choosing a photograph taken of himself and the Queen Consort at a Highland Gathering just days before the Queen died.
The Palace released the image, taken by award-winning photographer Sam Hussein, selected for the historic seasonal card.
The photograph shows Charles, 74, and Camilla, 75, smiling at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering on September 3rd, five days before the Queen died on September 8.
The Palace released the image selected for the couple’s first historic Christmas card, saying it was taken by award-winning photographer Sam Hussein
It captures the King from a side profile, dressed in a tweed suit with a red, green and beige tie.
Meanwhile, Camilla is seen wearing a green suit and matching hat with a pheasant motif, and pearl earrings.
During the event, Charles officially opened a new structure celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as he joined spectators at The Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park for the annual Highland Games event. The Queen was not in attendance due to her declining health.
Charles cut a heather rope to mark the opening of the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Archway.
Crowds from across the globe joined him and the then Duchess of Cornwall to watch competitors take part in events such as the caber toss, hammer throw and tug-of-war, as well as to celebrate some longstanding Scottish traditions, dance and music.
Camilla and the Princess Royal were presented with heather posies by 10-year-old Chloe Guy and 12-year-old Cassie Stewart, who are both members of the Braemar Royal Highland Society’s dancing class, before the Games got under way.
Camilla appeared to take a sprig of flowers and put it in her buttonhole, which can be seen in the Christmas card photograph.
This year’s cards have been a stark contrast to last year, which saw Covid lockdowns and tough travel restrictions.
Prince William and Kate opted for a family holiday photo while Charles made a nod to the pandemic in an usual picture.
A family holiday in the desert with Dad in shorts, the youngsters in their summer gear and Mum showing off her sunkissed glow was the theme for last year’s greeting from the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who delighted fans with a family portrait taken on a secret trip to Jordan in early 2021.
Prince William and Kate opted for a family holiday photo for last year’s Christmas card (pictured)
Supportive husband! King Charles chose a somewhat unusual image for his Christmas card last year, featuring himself and the now Queen Consort at Royal Ascot. The image shows Charles helping his wife with her face mask, in a nod to the Covid pandemic
The Cambridges appeared with their three children in the family snap. Kate looked glowing in a khaki dress, while Princess Charlotte perched on a stool in a gingham dress from Mango. Prince George beamed as he posed in a £14.95 camo t-shirt from GAP and grey shorts.
Meanwhile, Prince Louis was seen sitting cross-legged at the front in a stripey £32 polo shirt from Rachel Riley – a bigger version of the top Prince George wore from the brand during an official visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney when he was nine-months-old, as well as laceless slip-on sneakers by Hampton Canvas, which have been worn by both his older brother and sister.
Charles released an image of himself fixing the Duchess of Cornwall’s face mask at the races for his festive 2021 offering.
The picture, taken on the second day of Royal Ascot in June last year, showed him helping Camilla to adjust her face mask beside the racetrack.
The snap seemed especially fitting at the time, which saw restrictions requiring people in England to wear masks on public transport, shops and indoor public spaces such as post offices, theatres and hairdressers.
But it also depicted Charles as a loving husband to Camilla, whom he married in April 2005 after a love affair that lasted decades.
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