Royal fans cheer over Wales’ stylish Christmas family photo – with George almost as tall as his mum, Charlotte oozing confidence and Louis on his best behavior
Royal fans have admired Wales’ stylish annual Christmas card photo and commented on how big the royal children are getting.
The Prince and Princess of Wales shared their family photo online with the caption: ‘Our family Christmas card for 2023’, along with a Christmas tree emoji and a red love heart.
The black and white photo chosen by the Prince and Princess of Wales shows the couple smiling next to their sons Prince George, 10, Prince Louis, five, and Princess Charlotte, eight, who sits in a chair at the front of the group.
The three men and boys are dressed in matching plain shirts – George opts for a Ralph Lauren Polo number – and dark trousers, while Kate and Charlotte have swapped the trousers for jeans.
This sent fans into a frenzy, with many commenting on how Wales’ children are growing up – with Prince Louis seemingly on his best behavior for the photoshoot.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have released their annual Christmas card image, sending fans into a frenzy
One enthusiast shared an image of the new black and white photo online, along with a photo of Prince Louis’s christening taken in 2018, saying: ‘The Welsh children have grown’
The young royal, aged five, is known for his mischievous behavior and stealing the spotlight at events.
On Friday he blew out Prince Charlotte’s candle at his mother’s annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey, leaving his eight-year-old sister in the lurch.
However, it appears Louis was unable to cope with his usual cheeky antics as he was pictured standing tall, with his father’s guiding hand on his shoulder.
“I think this is a strong hand for Prince Louis to keep him from running away!” I love that naughty child,” said one royal supporter on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Fans of The Firm also discussed how long Prince George has looked professional, with some noting that he had grown almost as tall as Kate at just ten years old.
One wrote: “Prince George is so tall,” to which another replied: “Yes! He is already sitting on his mother’s shoulders and is only ten years old.’
Another commented: “Prince George is going to be 6 feet tall or taller!”
A third wrote: ‘I love how George leans into his mother, almost protecting her, and how Charlotte is the independent one who says we have this.’
Many have said that the young princess looks like a spitting image of her great-grandmother, the late queen.
Others have predicted she will be the next ‘star’ of the family, commenting on how she ‘radiates confidence and class’.
William, Kate and their children were photographed in Windsor earlier this year by acclaimed photographer Josh Shinner.
One enthusiast shared an image of the new black and white photo online, along with a photo of Prince Louis’s christening taken in 2018, saying: ‘The Welsh children have grown.’
Royal fans compared the photo of Wales to the black and white photo that Princess Diana took with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, in 1994, when they were 12 and 10 years old (pictured)
The King and Queen’s Christmas card is a much more formal affair, showing Charles and Camilla at Buckingham Palace shortly after the coronation in May
Royal fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to comment on the new photo
The photo showed a smiley face of Prince William with his arm around Kate’s waist as she held Prince Louis in her arms, while a young George and Charlotte stood next to her.
At the time, George was only five years old and half his mother’s size.
This year’s card, while less formal than the King’s, shows more restraint than some of their previously released seasonal greetings.
Some fans compared it to the black-and-white photos Princess Diana took with her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, in 1994, when they were 12 and 10 years old.
One fan said: ‘It’s also reminiscent of this fantastic shoot with the Princess of Wales (Diana). It’s a different choice, but I also think it’s brilliant’
Another wrote: ‘What a great photo! It reminds me of those black and white photos of Princess Diana with William and Harry.’
Their photo is in stark contrast to the card of King Charles and Queen Camilla, which is a formal snapshot of their coronation.
It shows the couple in the palace’s throne room after the ceremony in May, taken by photographer Hugo Burnand, who captured the couple side by side.
Charles wears the Imperial State Crown, while Camilla wears Queen Mary’s Crown; the king is also depicted wearing a coronation tunic and the robes of the estate.
The robe is made of purple silk velvet and is embroidered in gold. It was worn by King George VI in 1937.
The Queen wears her estate dress, 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 second Christmas card for the couple since Charles became king last year, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8, 2002.