Prince William and Kate’s Christmas card has been analysed by an expert who claims it tells a very different story to the one behind Harry and Meghan’s festive snap
The Prince and Princess of Wales’ Christmas card has been analysed by an expert, who claims it highlights the stark contrast between the couple and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Waleses delighted their followers by sharing their 2024 festive card on social media this week, featuring a heart-warming photo of the couple with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
The touching image was taken from a video released in September, where Kate revealed she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and was focusing on staying cancer-free. This came just days after the Sussexes shared their own holiday card, offering a rare look at their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Despite both cards showcasing sweet family moments, body language expert Judi James told the Mirror that the two cards “could hardly be more opposite in terms of sentiments and composition”. She described Harry and Meghan’s card as primarily corporate, a ‘Round Robin’ update on the duo’s best bits of the year, with each photo looking like a PR exercise to show them in their ideal state – successful, caring, loving, passionate and global.
“It is us gazing at them rather than a personalised message of good tidings with them looking at the camera and therefore us. This creates a state of admiring them from a distance rather than knowing them or feeling warm bonds.”
“Their picture with their children sees Archie and Lilibet from back view only and shot from the kind of distance that makes it look ironically like a paparazzi photo. Their message is one of indulgent, besotted and very even-balanced parenthood but there is no attempt to share their children with the public here.”
However, when it comes to William and Kate’s card, Judi believes the message is totally different. She added: “With William and Kate’s card we have a facing the camera, close up view of what looks like very open and honestly shared emotions from both parents and children. This is the family image we saw in Kate’s video update of her illness and the body language here is nuanced and complex enough to gently hint at everything they have been going through.”
“Charlotte is seen with protective arms around her mother and brother, almost clinging them together. William holds his arm around Louis, but his hand is gently cupping Kate’s thigh. Kate’s rituals also look protective as she places one arm around her children with the other reaches for her husband and younger son.”
“Their smiles reflect a poignant happiness rather than a jolly, playful mood. Kate’s tilted head and tempered smile tells us all we need to know about her emotions at the moment.”
“While Harry and Meghan have quite understandably decided to create a distance in terms of family reveals and allow their desire for privacy to dominate the photo they chose, William and Kate seem to have treated the public like members of their own family and shared their smiles and emotions with us.”
The expert’s insights come as the Prince and Princess of Wales caused a stir by missing the pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Expected to join the festive gathering with their children, it was announced shortly before the event that they would not be attending.
A royal insider shared that the family had already travelled to Norfolk as planned, looking forward to Christmas at Sandringham with the royals. While Prince Andrew was notably absent amidst controversy over his ties with alleged Chinese spy Yang Tengbo, his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, were present.
As for the Sussexes, while not officially confirmed, it’s highly unlikely they’ll travel to the UK for Christmas, seemingly set to celebrate in California. Meghan has also hinted at what the holiday season may look like for their family.