Royal families from around the world share their 2018 Christmas cards

January 17, 2019

It's the most wonderful time of the year for festive photos of royal families, and fewer things are as sweet as seeing them smiling happily together as they ring in the holiday season. From the <a href="/tags/0/prince-harry-and-meghan/">Duke and Duchess of Sussex</a>'s first Christmas card photo (and a special glimpse of their wedding night!) to the <a href="/tags/0/spanish-royals">photogenic Spaniards</a> on a particularly meaningful hike to the <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02018121449046/kate-middleton-cambridge-family-christmas-card-2018/">Cambridge clan's coordinated autumnal outfits</a> (jeans!), we've rounded up all of the seasonal snaps from families around the world!
<p><strong>Click through to see all of 2018's royal Christmas card photos...</strong>

Surprise! Prince Harry and Meghan's romance is the gift that keeps on giving – and a fan revealed on Jan. 17 that the couple had a <em>second</em> Christmas card. The thank you note read: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, thank you for the very kind message you sent for Christmas."
<p>The messaged continued: "This was most thoughtful of you and greatly appreciated by Their Royal Highnesses who send their best wishes for Christmas, and for the New Year." A picture of the thank you card was posted by royal fan Bradley Donovan-Baird.
<p>For Royal Family fans, the photo is very recognizable from the Sussexes' first official overseas tour Down Under, during a trip to Dubbo. Meghan sweetly held an umbrella up for her husband while he made a speech.
<p>Photo: © Twitter/@loopycrown3

<a href="/tags/0/prince-carl-philip/">Prince Carl Philip</a> and <a href="/tags/0/princess-sofia/">Princess Sofia</a> of Sweden shared a sweet, unseen family photo in this year's Christmas card, which they revealed on their official Instagram. It shows the doting parents walking hand-in-hand with their adorable tots and family dog. In true hygge style, the group was captured taking a candid stroll in the woods.
<p>The princess looks off to the side in a black ensemble with a cornflower blue coat, holding onto two-year-old <a href="/tags/0/prince-alexander/">Prince Alexander</a>, who looks sharp in a grey sweater and matching jacket with dark pants. One-year-old Prince Gabriel, who is clad in a dark outfit with a sweet grey hat, walks with his father, dapper as ever in his black coat and brown trousers.
<p>The card reads "God Jul" and "Gott Nytt Ar" in Swedish and the English translations - "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year." Prince Carl Philip, 39, and Princess Sofia, 34, also signed their names.
<p>Photo: © Instagram/@prinsparet

Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia of Sweden shared a sweet, unseen family photo in this year's Christmas card, which they revealed on their official Instagram. It shows the doting parents walking hand-in-hand with their adorable tots and family dog. In true hygge style, the group was captured taking a candid stroll in the woods.

The princess looks off to the side in a black ensemble with a cornflower blue coat, holding onto two-year-old Prince Alexander, who looks sharp in a grey sweater and matching jacket with dark pants. One-year-old Prince Gabriel, who is clad in a dark outfit with a sweet grey hat, walks with his father, dapper as ever in his black coat and brown trousers.

The card reads "God Jul" and "Gott Nytt Ar" in Swedish and the English translations - "Merry Christmas" and "Happy New Year." Prince Carl Philip, 39, and Princess Sofia, 34, also signed their names.

Photo: © Instagram/@prinsparet

It’s officially the holidays for the Cambridge family, who delighted royal fans the world over with their most charming and casual Christmas card photo ever! Kensington Palace released the stunning shot of Prince William, Duchess Kate and their children – Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3, and seven-month-old Prince Louis – rocking their best laid-back attire and the brightest of smiles.

Taking to social media to share the snap, the palace wrote: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to share a new photograph of their family. The photograph, taken by Matt Porteous, shows The Duke and Duchess with their three children at Anmer Hall, and features on Their Royal Highnesses' Christmas card this year." Many will remember that Matt was also the mastermind behind Prince Louis’ christening portraits and Prince George’s fifth birthday snaps!

The kids certainly stole the show in this one! From baby Prince Louis’ adorable grin to Princess Charlotte’s sweet smile and Prince George’s goofy stance, fans were delighted to see that even royal kids don’t always sit still for the camera. Coordinating in denim and autumnal tones, Kate and her children matched in festive sweaters with a collared shirt underneath, while Prince William wore a checked button-up with the top button undone.

Photo: © Matt Porteous

It's Christmas for <a href="/tags/0/princess-mette-marit/">Princess Mette-Marit</a>'s royal family, and what better way to celebrate than with a stunning portrait in front of the tree! Looking cozy in a cream turtleneck paired with a silky black skirt, the mother of two posed alongside her husband, a dapperly suited <a href="/tags/0/prince-haakon/">Crown Prince Haakon</a>, and their kids Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 14, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 13, both wearing their holiday finest. Seated in front of the foursome at Oslo's royal palace are the prince's parents, monarchs King Harald, in a dark suit with a festive red tie, and Queen Sonja, looking resplendent in a cream dress and punchy red accessories.
<p>Mette-Marit's son from a previous marriage, 21-year-old Marius Borg Høiby, was sadly missed from the festive family photo, which comes just months after the crown princess revealed her diagnosis with the <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02018102448201/princess-mette-marit-of-norway-lung-disease-diagnosis/">lung condition chronic pulmonary fibrosis</a>.
<p>Photo: © HAKON MOSVOLD LARSEN/AFP/Getty Images

It's Christmas for Princess Mette-Marit's royal family, and what better way to celebrate than with a stunning portrait in front of the tree! Looking cozy in a cream turtleneck paired with a silky black skirt, the mother of two posed alongside her husband, a dapperly suited Crown Prince Haakon, and their kids Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 14, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 13, both wearing their holiday finest. Seated in front of the foursome at Oslo's royal palace are the prince's parents, monarchs King Harald, in a dark suit with a festive red tie, and Queen Sonja, looking resplendent in a cream dress and punchy red accessories.

Mette-Marit's son from a previous marriage, 21-year-old Marius Borg Høiby, was sadly missed from the festive family photo, which comes just months after the crown princess revealed her diagnosis with the lung condition chronic pulmonary fibrosis.

Photo: © HAKON MOSVOLD LARSEN/AFP/Getty Images

<a href="/tags/0/prince-harry/">Prince Harry</a> and <a href="/tags/0/meghan-markle/">Meghan</a> have marked more than a few milestones since their fairy-tale nuptials on May 19, from announcing their first pregnancy to a wildly successful royal tour debut, and now they've added another to the list: their first Christmas card! The couple used a stunning, unseen photo from their evening <a href="/royal-wedding/">wedding reception at Frogmore House</a>, which sees them sharing a sweet embrace as fireworks light up the Windsor skies.
<p>Little details are known of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private wedding party, hosted by Prince Charles, so this glimpse into the couple's celebrations was a treat for fans. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are delighted to share a new photograph from their Wedding Reception at Frogmore House on 19th May," said Kensington Palace. "The photograph, which features on Their Royal Highnesses’ Christmas card, was taken by photographer Chris Allerton."
<p>In the photo, shot from behind, Prince Harry wears his dapper evening tux as he stands with his arm around his new wife. Meghan, clad in her second, halter-style Stella McCartney wedding dress, has her arm around her husband's waist as he sweetly holds onto her hand. It was surely a magical and private moment for the newlyweds, who live so much of their lives in the spotlight.
<p>Photo: © Chris Allerton

Prince Harry and Meghan have marked more than a few milestones since their fairy-tale nuptials on May 19, from announcing their first pregnancy to a wildly successful royal tour debut, and now they've added another to the list: their first Christmas card! The couple used a stunning, unseen photo from their evening wedding reception at Frogmore House, which sees them sharing a sweet embrace as fireworks light up the Windsor skies.

Little details are known of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private wedding party, hosted by Prince Charles, so this glimpse into the couple's celebrations was a treat for fans. "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are delighted to share a new photograph from their Wedding Reception at Frogmore House on 19th May," said Kensington Palace. "The photograph, which features on Their Royal Highnesses’ Christmas card, was taken by photographer Chris Allerton."

In the photo, shot from behind, Prince Harry wears his dapper evening tux as he stands with his arm around his new wife. Meghan, clad in her second, halter-style Stella McCartney wedding dress, has her arm around her husband's waist as he sweetly holds onto her hand. It was surely a magical and private moment for the newlyweds, who live so much of their lives in the spotlight.

When selecting a photo for their 2018 Christmas card, the <a href="/tags/0/spanish-royals">Spanish royal family</a> looked back on a particularly special visit. The gorgeous snap, released by Zarzuela Palace on Dec. 13, shows <a href="/tags/0/queen-letizia/">Queen Letizia</a>, <a href="/tags/0/king-felipe/">King Felipe</a> and their two daughters, 13-year-old <a href="/tags/0/princess-leonor/">Princess Leonor</a> and 11-year-old <a href="/tags/0/infanta-sofia/">Infanta Sofia</a>, in casual ensembles posed in front of a breathtaking and mountainous landscape.
<p>The photogenic family stopped for a Kodak moment during a hike through the Picos de Europa National Park in Asturias this past September, all dressed in casual ensembles. Standing in front of the Lakes of Covadonga, this marked the first visit of their eldest daughter, the Princess of Asturias, to her principality. This trip was surely a powerful one for the future queen, whose parents are positively beaming in the snap.
<p>"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2019" reads the red script on the back of the card, which features a thin red border. A handwritten message adds, "With great affection and our best wishes," with the four family members' signatures below. The young women wrote their formal names, "Leonor, Princess of Asturias" and "Sofia, Infanta de Espana."
<p>Photo: © Casa de SM el Rey

When selecting a photo for their 2018 Christmas card, the Spanish royal family looked back on a particularly special visit. The gorgeous snap, released by Zarzuela Palace on Dec. 13, shows Queen Letizia, King Felipe and their two daughters, 13-year-old Princess Leonor and 11-year-old Infanta Sofia, in casual ensembles posed in front of a breathtaking and mountainous landscape.

The photogenic family stopped for a Kodak moment during a hike through the Picos de Europa National Park in Asturias this past September, all dressed in casual ensembles. Standing in front of the Lakes of Covadonga, this marked the first visit of their eldest daughter, the Princess of Asturias, to her principality. This trip was surely a powerful one for the future queen, whose parents are positively beaming in the snap.

"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2019" reads the red script on the back of the card, which features a thin red border. A handwritten message adds, "With great affection and our best wishes," with the four family members' signatures below. The young women wrote their formal names, "Leonor, Princess of Asturias" and "Sofia, Infanta de Espana."

<a href="/tags/0/prince-charles/">Prince Charles</a> and <a href="/tags/0/duchess-of-cornwall/">Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall</a> have been busy bees this year, from their tour of West Africa to their hosting duties at <a href="/royal-wedding/">Prince Harry and Meghan</a>’s royal wedding. So, it’s lovely for royal watchers to see them enjoying a moment to themselves on the grounds of their home for their 2018 Christmas card photo. Released on the same day as those of the Cambridge and Sussex families, the couple could give lessons on the look of love in the sweet Clarence House snap.
<p>Shortly after celebrating his milestone 70th birthday, the future King and his wife shared the heartwarming photo to their official Twitter account. The card lovingly reads, “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.” In the photograph, taken by Hugo Burnand, Camilla dazzles in a simple cream dress and matching heels – the same Fiona Clare shift she wore to <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02018070946071/prince-louis-christening-best-photos">Prince Louis’ christening back in July</a>. She paired the pretty dress with her favourite multi-strand pearl necklace and cap-toe heels. Sitting side by side with her dapper suit-clad husband, the two look lovingly into each other’s eyes with their bright smiles on display. The bench appears to be the same one featured in <a href="https://ca.hellomagazine.com/royalty/02018111348583/prince-charles-70-birthday-portraits/">Charles’ birthday portraits</a> released last month.
<p>Photo: © Hugo Burnand

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall have been busy bees this year, from their tour of West Africa to their hosting duties at Prince Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding. So, it’s lovely for royal watchers to see them enjoying a moment to themselves on the grounds of their home for their 2018 Christmas card photo. Released on the same day as those of the Cambridge and Sussex families, the couple could give lessons on the look of love in the sweet Clarence House snap.

Shortly after celebrating his milestone 70th birthday, the future King and his wife shared the heartwarming photo to their official Twitter account. The card lovingly reads, “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.” In the photograph, taken by Hugo Burnand, Camilla dazzles in a simple cream dress and matching heels – the same Fiona Clare shift she wore to Prince Louis’ christening back in July. She paired the pretty dress with her favourite multi-strand pearl necklace and cap-toe heels. Sitting side by side with her dapper suit-clad husband, the two look lovingly into each other’s eyes with their bright smiles on display. The bench appears to be the same one featured in Charles’ birthday portraits released last month.