What’s behind the Wales' surprising Christmas card this year?
- Replies 25
Every year, the royal Christmas card photos make headlines. People eagerly await the release of the portraits to see how the family has changed, what they're wearing, and how the images compare to previous years.
This year, however, there seems to be something different.
King Charles III chose a picture from his Coronation earlier this year for his Christmas card. The photo shows him and his wife, Queen Camilla, posing at Buckingham Palace. It's a formal image that reflects the significance of the occasion.
On the other hand, the Prince and Princess of Wales took a different approach. Their annual photo is a black-and-white shot of the family dressed in smart-casual outfits consisting of jeans and white button-downs.
The portrait, taken by Yorkshire-born photographer Josh Shinner, has garnered attention for its unique and unfamiliar feel.
Royal watchers immediately speculated on why this image looked so different from what people had seen before.
So what are the reasons behind the changes? Here are four theories as conveniently compiled by Mamamia.
1. Could it be a distraction from recent scandals? For those unacquainted, the timing of the release of the Wales’ photos is suspect—it’s coming at the heels of a bombshell allegation in author Omid Scobie’s new book Endgame, where it is alleged in early drafts that the King and Princess of Wales made concerning remarks about the skin colour of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son Archie.
‘Unbeknownst to me at the time, early and uncleared text was provided to the Dutch publisher in order for them to start work on the translation, with the understanding that their translation would be updated to reflect the final version of the book I officially submitted,’ Scobie explained.
This was causing a stir in the press, so could the timing of the portrait be a strategic move to distract the masses with a compelling family portrait of five happy royals? Your guess is as good as ours.
2. Could it be a nod to Prince William’s upcoming rule? Observers say this year’s portrait has a more regal air than we’ve seen in previous family Christmas pictures.
Prince William will presumably be younger when he takes over the monarchy than his own father, King Charles III, when he took over from Queen Elizabeth. As such, some say we can expect a rule that will govern in a more modern manner.
In 2021, a poll conducted in the final stretches of the late Queen Elizabeth’s rule determined that the British people wanted Prince William as their king ahead of her son, with 47 per cent of survey respondents favouring the junior royal, while 27 per cent wanted King Charles III taking the reins.
Could the photo be a reminder to the people of who is coming next?
3. Could it be a reminiscent photo of then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana? The similarities between this year’s family portrait and the one then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana took with Prince William and Prince Harry in 1992 cannot be ignored.
In fact, it was their last royal Christmas card to be sent out prior to their separation. Could the similarities be a touching tribute to Diana, and an intentional way to honour her influence on the royal family she once belonged to?
4. Could it be because of Prince Harry and Meghan’s Christmas card? It’s easy to compare Prince William and Princess Catherine’s Christmas card to Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle’s 2021 Christmas card. Both feature the family dressed down in denim, looking serene and calm, with their children in their parents’ laps.
Could Prince William and Princess Catherine have simply seen the look and chosen to replicate?
Whatever the secret behind the Wales’ Christmas card is, perhaps it's fair to say royalists are loving the modern yet still familiar look of the new picture, which leaves people asking: what will next year's photo bring?
What do you think of this story? Do you have your own theory with their new family portrait? Let us know in the comments below!
This year, however, there seems to be something different.
King Charles III chose a picture from his Coronation earlier this year for his Christmas card. The photo shows him and his wife, Queen Camilla, posing at Buckingham Palace. It's a formal image that reflects the significance of the occasion.
On the other hand, the Prince and Princess of Wales took a different approach. Their annual photo is a black-and-white shot of the family dressed in smart-casual outfits consisting of jeans and white button-downs.
The portrait, taken by Yorkshire-born photographer Josh Shinner, has garnered attention for its unique and unfamiliar feel.
Royal watchers immediately speculated on why this image looked so different from what people had seen before.
The Prince and Princess of Wales' new Christmas card for 2023. Image: Instagram / @windsxrs
So what are the reasons behind the changes? Here are four theories as conveniently compiled by Mamamia.
1. Could it be a distraction from recent scandals? For those unacquainted, the timing of the release of the Wales’ photos is suspect—it’s coming at the heels of a bombshell allegation in author Omid Scobie’s new book Endgame, where it is alleged in early drafts that the King and Princess of Wales made concerning remarks about the skin colour of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s son Archie.
‘Unbeknownst to me at the time, early and uncleared text was provided to the Dutch publisher in order for them to start work on the translation, with the understanding that their translation would be updated to reflect the final version of the book I officially submitted,’ Scobie explained.
This was causing a stir in the press, so could the timing of the portrait be a strategic move to distract the masses with a compelling family portrait of five happy royals? Your guess is as good as ours.
2. Could it be a nod to Prince William’s upcoming rule? Observers say this year’s portrait has a more regal air than we’ve seen in previous family Christmas pictures.
Prince William will presumably be younger when he takes over the monarchy than his own father, King Charles III, when he took over from Queen Elizabeth. As such, some say we can expect a rule that will govern in a more modern manner.
In 2021, a poll conducted in the final stretches of the late Queen Elizabeth’s rule determined that the British people wanted Prince William as their king ahead of her son, with 47 per cent of survey respondents favouring the junior royal, while 27 per cent wanted King Charles III taking the reins.
Could the photo be a reminder to the people of who is coming next?
3. Could it be a reminiscent photo of then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana? The similarities between this year’s family portrait and the one then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana took with Prince William and Prince Harry in 1992 cannot be ignored.
In fact, it was their last royal Christmas card to be sent out prior to their separation. Could the similarities be a touching tribute to Diana, and an intentional way to honour her influence on the royal family she once belonged to?
4. Could it be because of Prince Harry and Meghan’s Christmas card? It’s easy to compare Prince William and Princess Catherine’s Christmas card to Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle’s 2021 Christmas card. Both feature the family dressed down in denim, looking serene and calm, with their children in their parents’ laps.
Could Prince William and Princess Catherine have simply seen the look and chosen to replicate?
Whatever the secret behind the Wales’ Christmas card is, perhaps it's fair to say royalists are loving the modern yet still familiar look of the new picture, which leaves people asking: what will next year's photo bring?
What do you think of this story? Do you have your own theory with their new family portrait? Let us know in the comments below!
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