Monarch and Monarch Consort unveil this year's Christmas card

King Charles and Queen Camilla have unveiled this years official Christmas card, featuring a photo of the couple taken in Rome. The image, captured in April during their state visit to Italy, shows them smiling together while standing on a garden path.

The cards greeting reads: "Wishing you a very happy Christmas and New Year." In the photograph, the King, positioned on the left, wears a dark blue suit with a grey tie, while the Queen is dressed in a white and beige coat dress, adorned with a lily of the valley brooch symbolizing lasting love.

This marks the fourth Christmas card released by the royal couple since Charles became King. Photographer Chris Jackson took the image at the Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassadors residence in Rome, during celebrations of their 20th wedding anniversary.

Following the trend of the previous year, this years photo presents a more relaxed and informal portrayal compared to the formal portrait chosen for the 2023 Christmas card. Last years image, taken by Millie Pilkington, featured the couple returning to public life after the Kings cancer treatment.

Senior members of the Royal Family often release these photographs to accompany their official festive cards. The King and Queen are expected to spend several days signing each card, which will be distributed globally to family, friends, world leaders, and organizations.

Author: Noah Whitman