Prince William and Princess Kate have unveiled their 2024 Christmas card, offering a heartfelt family portrait just hours after confirming they would not attend King Charles III's annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. The festive card, featuring a still from a September video marking the end of Princess Kate's chemotherapy treatment, highlights the resilience and warmth of the Prince and Princess of Wales amidst a year of personal challenges.
The Christmas card shows William and Kate alongside their children-Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6-enjoying the outdoors at their country retreat, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk. With arms wrapped around each other, the family radiates unity and joy. In the card, the couple wrote, "Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year," while accompanying their social media post with a video of the card set against a festive snowing effect.
The Wales family opted to skip the royal pre-Christmas lunch, a traditional gathering for extended family members hosted annually by the monarch. Instead, they have traveled to Norfolk, where they will spend the holidays before joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the wider Royal Family for Christmas celebrations at Sandringham Estate.
The decision to miss the luncheon comes as Princess Kate continues to prioritize her health and family after completing chemotherapy earlier this year. "Doing what I can to stay cancer-free" has been her focus, Kate shared when announcing the end of her treatment. While she has resumed royal engagements in recent months, she continues to balance her public duties with personal well-being.
Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas pic.twitter.com/pL3t13sTlu — The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 19, 2024
The pre-Christmas lunch, a longstanding tradition initiated during Queen Elizabeth II's reign, brings together a broad cross-section of the Royal Family. This year's attendees included King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Eugenie. Notably absent, apart from the Wales family, was Prince Andrew, who has faced renewed scrutiny over past associations with controversial figures.
Despite their absence from the lunch, the Waleses are expected to participate in Christmas Day festivities at Sandringham, including the traditional walk to church-a highlight for royal watchers and well-wishers. Past years have seen the young Wales children interacting with crowds, accepting flowers, and spreading holiday cheer.
The Christmas card also serves as a poignant reminder of Princess Kate's resilience throughout a challenging year. Her decision to publicly document her health journey, including the September video celebrating the end of her chemotherapy, has drawn widespread admiration. The video, directed by Will Warr, captured the family's gratitude and determination to embrace life's simple joys.
Kate's health journey has not hindered her from contributing to key royal events, such as her "Together at Christmas" carol service at Westminster Abbey. However, she has taken a measured approach to her schedule, skipping events like state banquets while attending ceremonial welcomes and other significant engagements.
