King Charles and Queen Camilla were among the first royals to unveil their 2025 Christmas card and this year it’s rich with romance and symbolism.
Among the first recipients of this royal season’s letter was India Hicks, an old family friend, former model and goddaughter of King Charles who was also a bridesmaid at his wedding to Princess Diana in 1981.
The card comes amid a poignant chapter for India, who recently revealed she was facing a rapidly evolving skin cancer diagnosis but has since been given the all-clear after surgery.
The couple chose a sentimental portrait to mark their 20th wedding anniversary, taken in the gardens of Villa Wolkonsky, the residence of the British ambassador in Rome, during a state visit in April.
The classic style of King Charles and Camilla’s card leans more towards warm tradition than Christmas kitsch, with the King in a smart blue pinstriped suit and the Queen radiant in a cream dress.
The annual Christmas card tradition has become a fascinating insight into how modern royalty balances duty and personality.
Over the years, the Prince and Princess of Wales have mixed elegant studio portraits with relaxed family photographs, while other European monarchies, such as the Monegasque and Belgian royal houses, opt for their own festive, glamorous and avant-garde images.
