Kate Middleton and Prince William’s dazzling family Christmas card breaks from royal tradition in one noticeable way

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family are wishing everyone a happy holiday season with their new 2024 Christmas card photo – and it’s a break from recent royal tradition.

Kate Middleton and Prince William revealed their Christmas card on December 19 in a post on Instagramwrites: “I wish everyone a very merry Christmas .” The post is a short video of the Christmas card lying on a table with a twinkling Christmas tree behind it and fake snow sprinkling over the card. The picture on the card is a snap taken this summer, with William and Middleton sitting outside with their three children. Princess Charlotte, 9, sits next to her mother, with one arm around her mother and the other around her older brother, Prince George, 11. Prince Louis, 6, is on the other side of William, and the whole family looks on looking happy (and sun-kissed!) as they smile for the camera.

More from SheKnows

Unlike previous years where the royals would share a never-before-seen family photo, this time they chose a poignant photo that we have seen before: a photo of the family of five taken from a video shared in September marks the end of Middleton’s chemotherapy treatment.

“As summer comes to a close, I can’t tell you what a relief it is to finally have completed my chemotherapy treatment,” Middleton wrote at the time. “The last nine months have been incredibly hard for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and the unknown road.”

In the lengthy message, Middleton added: “Above all, this time has reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple but important things in life that so many of us often take for granted. To simply love and be loved.”

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 6: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATION DATE AND TIME) Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Prince George of Wales attend the 'Together At Christmas' Caroly service in Westminster Abbey. on December 6, 2024 in London, England. Led by The Princess of Wales and supported by The Royal Foundation, the theme of this year's 'Together At Christmas' service is the importance of love and empathy and how much we need each other, especially in our most difficult times. life. The service also highlights remarkable people from across the UK who have shown extraordinary kindness, empathy and support in their communities. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 06: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN WEEKLY NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATION DATE AND TIME) Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales and Prince George of Wales attend the ‘Together At Christmas’ carol service in Westminster Abbe. on December 6, 2024 in London, England. Led by The Princess of Wales and supported by The Royal Foundation, the theme of this year’s ‘Together At Christmas’ service is the importance of love and empathy and how much we need each other, especially in our most difficult times. life. The service also highlights remarkable people from across the UK who have shown extraordinary kindness, empathy and support in their communities. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The fact that Middleton chose this photo to feature proves she’s reflecting on the tumultuous year and keeping family at the center of her mind right now.

Fans noticed too. “Lovely picture to be on this year’s Christmas card Merry Christmas to the whole Wales family! I love you all ” one person commented. Another wrote: “This Christmas card is absolutely wonderful and the sweetest! Have a very Merry Christmas “

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also shared their holiday card this week, featuring a photo of Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. In this one, the Sussexes crouch together on a driveway with open arms as their red-haired children run up to them with their dogs. “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry & Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and the Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday and a happy new year,” the card reads.

With all this Christmas cheer around, insiders believe this could be the time when the Welsh and Sussexes get over their dispute. Royal insider Grant Harrold, King Charles III’s former butler, recently told GB News“I believe Catherine will reach out to Harry and Meghan and wish them a Merry Christmas and I think Harry and Meghan themselves will possibly reach out. The thing about Christmas is that it’s all about goodwill towards others, to let bygones be bygones, forget the past, move into the new year.”

He predicts that families will grow closer by 2025, adding: “I have a feeling they are. I really think they are, but that’s just my personal feeling.”

Only time will tell!

Even royal children love to be read to! Here are some of their favourites.

Best of SheKnows

Sign up SheKnows’ newsletter. For the latest news, follow us Facebook, Twitterand Instagram.