When Buckingham Palace unveiled King Charles and Queen Camilla’s 2025 Christmas card, the reaction was swift and surprisingly sharp. Royal watchers quickly branded it the “least Christmassy” card yet, criticizing its springtime setting and lack of festive spirit. The image, taken months earlier during an overseas state visit, sparked a broader debate about tradition, symbolism, and modern monarchy expectations.
At the heart of the backlash lies a simple question of timing, taste, and royal priorities. Let’s take a closer look at what sparked it.
What Happened With the Royal Card
Buckingham Palace released King Charles and Queen Camilla’s 2025 Christmas card early this month. The image showed the couple standing in lush greenery, taken during their April state visit to Rome. Instead of winter tradition, recipients received spring imagery.
That contrast immediately raised eyebrows among royal followers.
Why This Photo Looked So Unusual
The photograph was taken at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome. King Charles wore a dark blue suit, while Queen Camilla appeared in a cream Anna Valentine dress. Blooming gardens filled the background.
Nothing about the scene suggested December or Christmas.
The Anniversary Hidden Inside the Image
The photo marked a personal milestone for the couple. It commemorated King Charles and Queen Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, 2005. Buckingham Palace highlighted the anniversary when sharing the card on December 7.
That personal focus soon became part of the controversy.
A Brooch Carrying Symbolic Weight
Queen Camilla wore a Lily of the Valley brooch during the shoot. The flower traditionally symbolizes love, purity, and renewal. White also represents porcelain, the traditional 20th anniversary gift material.
Romantic symbolism was clear, but festive cues were absent.
Why Tradition Suddenly Felt Broken
This was the couple’s fourth Christmas card as King and Queen. Previous cards featured official or seasonal settings tied to public duties. Choosing a reused spring anniversary image broke an emerging pattern royal watchers had come to expect.
The deviation did not go unnoticed online.
Where Public Criticism Came From
By December 8, criticism spread across X and Instagram. One commenter wrote, “I wish the pictures on the royal families holiday cards were Christmas themed, and not just a random picture we’ve already seen,” according to Geo.tv on December 8.
Others questioned why winter settings were ignored.
How Strong Was the Backlash Really
Despite sharp language, the criticism remained limited. The card never reached viral status or trended widely. Engagement stayed confined to royal enthusiast circles rather than the broader public.
That distinction shaped how the palace chose to respond.
The Palace Response Few Expected
Rather than apologizing, palace officials defended the choice using history. On December 8, the Royal Collection Trust shared past Christmas cards lacking festive imagery. Examples dated back more than 100 years.
The message was clear: precedent existed.
Historical Cards Used As Evidence
The palace cited King George VI’s 1938 card, Princess Elizabeth’s 1947 card, and Crown Prince Olav’s 1917 card. None focused heavily on Christmas themes.
Officials argued the 2025 card fit comfortably within tradition.
Why Rome Mattered To The Palace
The image came from a significant diplomatic trip. King Charles and Queen Camilla visited Italy from April 7 to April 10, marking his first major journey since cancer treatment began, according to Vatican News on April 7.
The trip carried symbolic importance beyond aesthetics.
A Villa Steeped In History
Villa Wolkonsky has served as the British ambassador’s residence since 1951. Originally owned by Princess Zenaïde Wolkonsky, it has hosted writers, survived wartime occupation, and become a diplomatic landmark.
Its prestige likely influenced the image selection.
The Photographer Behind the Shot
Chris Jackson of Getty Images captured the photograph. He has won Royal Photographer of the Year awards in 2010, 2015, and 2016. His work regularly appears in major international publications.
Such credentials suggest deliberate, not casual, choices.
How Palace Decisions Usually Get Approved
Major royal releases pass through multiple review layers. Buckingham Palace employs about 1,500 staff, according to The Independent, December 14, 2017. Communications teams, licensing partners, and printers typically approve materials.
Several checkpoints existed where concerns could have surfaced.
Why Timing Became The Core Issue
The photo was taken 8 months before its December release. Spring foliage clashed with winter expectations. For many recipients, the seasonal mismatch felt jarring rather than charming.
Timing, not romance, became the main complaint.
Personal Meaning Versus Public Expectation
Royal Christmas cards balance private sentiment and public symbolism. By prioritizing an anniversary, the palace leaned toward personal commemoration. Town & Country noted the image celebrated “2 decades of marriage” on December 7.
That choice reshaped how the card was received.
What Production Costs Added To Scrutiny
High-end royal Christmas cards typically cost £25 to £50 per 100 cards, around $66 to $133 USD. Thousands are distributed annually to staff, diplomats, charities, and associates.
Premium production amplified attention to every detail.
How The Defense Shifted The Narrative
By citing precedent, the palace defused claims of unprecedented failure. Critics could no longer frame the card as historically out of bounds. Debate shifted toward taste and expectation rather than wrongdoing.
Outrage softened into stylistic disagreement.
Comparisons With Other Royals Emerged
Observers naturally compared Charles and Camilla’s card to other senior royals. Reports on December 10 noted interest in how Prince William and Kate Middleton approached their own seasonal messaging.
Differences highlighted varying priorities within the monarchy.
What This Card Ultimately Signals
King Charles ascended the throne in May 2023. Each symbolic choice reflects how his reign may differ from Elizabeth II’s. The card suggested a willingness to foreground personal meaning over convention.
That signal lingered longer than the criticism.
The Bigger Takeaway For Modern Royalty
The 2025 Christmas card showed how small choices face outsized scrutiny today. While backlash was limited, expectations remain high. The episode reveals a monarchy balancing intimacy, history, and tradition under constant observation.
Even a holiday card can shape public perception.
Sources:
“King and Queen reveal this year’s Christmas card.” BBC News, December 6, 2025.
“King Charles and Queen Camilla Release Their Christmas Card.” Town & Country Magazine, December 7, 2025.
“State visit by Charles III to Italy.” Vatican News, April 7, 2025.
“Palace shares update after King Charles Christmas card receives criticism.” Geo.tv, December 8, 2025.
“The Sweet Symbolism Behind Queen Camilla’s Christmas Card.” InStyle, December 9, 2025.
“Queen gives all 1,500 Buckingham Palace employees a Christmas present.” The Independent, December 14, 2017.