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The most wonderful time of the year is also a time for royal greetings! Ahead of Christmas and the New Year, royals around the world have been sharing their annual holiday family photos. From the Spanish and Jordanian royals to the Sussexes, who now reside in California, take a look at the 2021 pictures that have been released so far...
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s 2021 picture was taken in Jordan. The royal couple was pictured affectionately placing one of their hands on each other’s knees while surrounded by their three kids: Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Prince George.
Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain posed with their daughters Infanta Sofia and Princess Leonor reportedly in the gardens of Zarzuela Palace for their photo. Sofia looked happy to be reunited with her big sister, who is now studying in Wales, as she held her hand in the picture.
The Jordanian royal family’s card stars King Abdullah II, Queen Rania and their children, Crown Prince Hussein, Princess Iman, Princess Salma, and Prince Hashem. The mom of four shared the image on her personal social media writing: “May the threads of happiness, hope and good health weave together your New Year #Love #Family #Jordan #LoveJO.”
A photo of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall from this year’s Royal Ascot was picked as their 2021 Christmas card picture. The Prince of Wales was photographed helping his wife with her face mask. The inside of the card reads: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”
Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg released four festive family photos featuring their adorable son Prince Charles this year. The family posed at Fischbach Castle with a stuffed bear toy sporting a Santa hat and scarf. Along with the photos a message from the royal family read: “Prince Guillaume and Princess Stéphanie, along with Prince Charles, wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2022!”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s daughter Lilibet Diana stole the show in the Sussexes’ first holiday card as a family of four, which was taken by their royal wedding photographer Alexi Lubomirski this summer at their home in Santa Barbara, California.
“This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a ‘Mama’ and a ‘Papa’, and Lili made us a family. As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families – from those being relocated from Afghanistan, to American families in need of paid parental leave,” a message from the Duke and Duchess reads.
They concluded their message with: “Wishing you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year, from our family to yours! As ever, Harry, Meghan, Archie & Lili.”
King Felipe’s parents Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos of Spain’s Christmas card features a photo of the Royal Palace of Madrid’s Neapolitan Nativity Scene.
The Dutch royals opted for a glam photo that was taken in May 2021—the night of a concert for Queen Maxima’s 50th birthday—for their card. The Dutch monarchs and Princesses (Amalia, Alexia and Ariane) were joined by their pups for the picture at Huis ten Bosch Palace. Printed inside their card is the message: “Merry Christmas and a healthy and Prosperous New Year.”
The Danish Royal House released a lovely Christmas photo of Prince Joachim and Princess Marie of Denmark with their two kids: Prince Henrik and Princess Athena. Missing from the image are the Prince’s older sons from his first marriage (Prince Felix and Prince Nikolai).
Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg tweeted her family’s card featuring a photo from the summer. The royal proudly stood in the center of the snapshot surrounded by her husband Grand Duke Henri, their five kids (Prince Guillaume, Prince Félix, Prince Louis, Princess Alexandra and Prince Sébastien), five grandchildren (Prince Gabriel, Prince Noah, Princess Amalia, Prince Liam, and Prince Charles), daughters-in-law (Princess Claire and Princess Stéphanie) and future daughter-in-law, Scarlett-Lauren Sirgue.