The King and Queen have released their informal-looking Christmas card for this year as Camilla’s son spoke out about the difficult two years his mother has had

A photograph of the King and Queen in the Buckingham Palace garden has been chosen for the royal couple’s Christmas card this year.

The touching image shows the couple standing side by side on what appears to be a bright and sunny day in the palace garden and was taken by photographer Millie Pilkington in April 2024. The Queen can be seen wearing a blue wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and private jewellery, while the King – hand in pocket – is wearing a grey suit and blue tie.

A simple message is attached to the cards, which reads: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.” The card is more informal than years past, including the one chosen in 2023

The more informal Christmas card is a contrast to last year ( 
Image:
PA)
Last year’s picture was taken by photographer Hugo Burnand and showed the royal couple in the Throne Room at the Palace following the coronation. Charles was seen wearing the Imperial State Crown and Camilla was wearing Queen Mary’s Crown.

The King was also pictured wearing a Coronation tunic and the robe of estate. Christmas images used to decorate official festive cards are regularly released by senior members of the royal family, with the cards sent to friends, family and colleagues.

It comes after the Queen’s son, Tom Parker-Bowles, has revealed the “hell of a two years” endured by his mother and the King, marked by significant health challenges. The Palace announced King Charles had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in February, and Camilla has been recovering from a bout of pneumonia since returning from a royal tour of Australia and Samoa.

Last year’s picture, taken by photographer Hugo Burnand ( 
Image:
PA)

The 49-year-old food writer and critic told the Daily Telegraph he was planning to spend his first Christmas at Sandringham later this month after their difficult year. “My mum said ‘I’d love you to come, I haven’t had Christmas with you for a long time’,” he said.

“It has been a hell of a two years for them. The older you get, the more conscious you become of mortality, especially with illnesses and the rest of it.”

Despite the chest infection temporarily ruling her out of royal duties, Mr Parker Bowles described his mother as a resilient woman. “She went back to work before she should have done but she’s fine. She’s tough. She hates that she missed Remembrance Sunday. That’s a big day for her,” he said.