William and Kate show they are the ‘youthful future of the royal family’ in Christmas cards while Charles and Camilla have used the coronation snap to show the ‘crowning moment of their lives’ and Harry and Meghan look like ‘philanthropists’

The Prince and Princess of Wales‘ Christmas card shows they are the ‘youthful future of the royal family,’ an expert has claimed.

While William, 41, and Kate, also 41, relaxed black and white portrait shows them as approachable, the King and Queen’s coronation snap shows the ‘crowning moment of their lives’.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are keen to paint themselves as philanthropists while Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie show themselves as ‘hard working’.

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliam said the images represented show which each individual royal ‘wants to be associated with during a particular year’.  

‘We can see what wish to emphasise, family being especially important. At the festive season, there is special interest in the different cards sent by members of the royal family,’ he said’.

‘Each card is specifically chosen with great care and their meaning is analysed by royal watchers. They give great pleasure to the recipients.’ 

KING CHARLES AND QUEEN CAMILLA 

The King and Queen’s Christmas card is an altogether more formal affair, showing Charles and Camilla inside Buckingham Palace shortly after the coronation in May

The photograph was one of several taken of the King and Queen in full royal regalia on the day of the coronation (pictured: another of the series of pictures)

The King and Queen opted for a Coronation photograph taken at Buckingham Palace to grace their festive card, which will be sent to friends, family and colleagues.

The formal image, showing Charles and Camilla in the palace throne room following the ceremony in May, was taken by photographer Hugo Burnand who captured the couple standing side by side.

Charles wears the Imperial State Crown, while Camilla wears Queen Mary‘s Crown; the King is also pictured wearing a coronation tunic and the robe of estate.

Made of purple silk velvet embroidered in gold, the robe was worn by King George VI in 1937. 

The Queen is wearing her robe of estate made by Ede and Ravenscroft and designed and hand embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. She also wears her coronation dress designed by Bruce Oldfield.

It is the couple’s second Christmas card since Charles became King last year, following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8 2002. 

Speaking to FEMAIL, Mr Fitzwilliam explained: ‘Image is pivotal to the royal family and Christmas cards, which will be circulated worldwide, are an important projection of this.

‘The card from the King and Queen depicts them after the Coronation as this is a crowning moment of their lives and of immense symbolic significance. 

‘This is highly appropriate for this pivotal year. 

‘Last year the image was of the Braemar Games, taken just before the Queen’s death.

‘The King and Queen are likely to choose images befitting their status as they have done. The Coronation was a unique event.’

PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES 

Earlier this month, Prince William and Kate Middleton released the family portrait with their three children in matching white shirts 

Prince William and Kate Middleton released an intimate and relaxed family portrait with their three children in matching white shirts that will appear on the front of their Christmas card this year.

The black and white image chosen by the Prince and Princess of Wales shows the pair smiling alongside sons Prince George, 10, Prince Louis , five and Princess Charlotte , eight, who is sat in a chair at the front of the group.

The three men and boys are dressed in matching plain shirts – George opting for a Ralph Lauren Polo number – and dark trousers, while Kate and Charlotte have swapped the trousers for denim jeans.

The card has been mocked for a photo shop fail, after Louis finger and Kate’s leg appear to be missing.

But Mr Fitzwilliam says these comments aren’t likely to ‘dim the enthusiasm of the recipients’. 

‘The Waleses card, as last year, contains a striking family image taken by Josh Shinner. 

‘They are carefully posed, their dress is smart casual, it is a happy family group portrait but one with a special cachet. 

‘It is made all the more significant by the fact that this family represents the future of the thousand year old monarchy as only four working royals are currently under 70.

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released their family Christmas card for the year, wishing everyone a ‘happy holiday season’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle released their family Christmas card for the year, wishing everyone a ‘happy holiday season’.

The Duke and Duchess used a photograph of them applauding, thanking their fans for ‘all the support in 2023’ in the professional online greeting issued by their non-profit organisation, the Archewell Foundation. 

The release of the swanky card came just hours after the Prince won £140,000 from the Mirror’s publisher after the High Court ruled he was a victim of phone hacking. 

The couple are seen beaming at the closing ceremony of the Invicitus Games that took place in September in Dusseldorf, Germany. Their children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2, did not feature. 

The picture paints them as philanthropist, Mr Fitzwilliam says, a portrait they are keen to push.

‘Harry and Meghan have an image which extols their philanthropic work with an image from the Invictus Games.

‘It notably excludes Archie and Lilibet, their children. However it includes a link to their Archewell Foundation impact report, although the results in its accounts this year were decidedly underwhelming. 

‘It is a forceful image but does it represent the reality of their status in Hollywood at the moment?’

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH

Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, enjoying a performance by the Ukrainian choir in the city of Edinburgh on the day they were given their new titles

Prince Edward, 59, is shown meeting a Clydesdale horse while Sophie, 58, is seen taking part in a puppy class at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Training Centre in Reading

Emblazoned with their ES monogram, the card contains a simple seasonal greeting

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh put themselves front and centre with their Christmas card, which underscores their solid status within ‘the Firm’.

In Eden Confidential’s exclusive picture of the card —the main picture — taken back in March, shows a smiling Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, enjoying a performance by the Ukrainian choir in the city of Edinburgh on the day they were given their new titles.

On the back cover of the card, which they’ve labelled ‘If we could talk to the animals’, Prince Edward, 59, a keen rider, is shown meeting a Clydesdale horse in Garvagh, Northern Ireland .

Meanwhile Sophie, 58, is seen taking part in a puppy class at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Training Centre in Reading.

Emblazoned with their ES monogram, the card contains a simple seasonal greeting — ‘Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year from Edward, Sophie, Louise and James’. 

Mr Fitzwilliam said: ‘Edward and Sophie use a quirky, artistic photograph taken on the day they became Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and watching a performance by a Ukrainian choir in Edinburgh. 

‘There are therefore links with the war in Ukraine. The greetings inside the card include those from their children. 

‘The purpose of the card is to reinforce their status as reliable, hard working royals and it succeeds admirably.