The Wales Children Shine in 2022 Christmas Card Photo

Tonight royal watchers had a delightful surprise when checking social media: a new Christmas card photo of the Wales family was released by Kensington Palace.

The image was shot by Matt Porteous, who has taken photos of many notable family events, including Prince Louis’ christening and Prince George’s third birthday photos. Mr. Porteous also took the photos used for the 2020 and 2018 Cambridge family holiday cards. The message accompanying today’s image says, “The Prince and Princess of Wales are delighted to share a new photograph of their family.” The photo was taken in Norfolk earlier this year, most likely in the summer, from the looks of the foliage.

As a refresher, here is the last year’s photo, taken during a family vacation in Jordan.

Below, the 2020 image taken by Mr. Porteous, shot at the family’s country estate, Anmer Hall.

The 2019 cards featured a photo the Duchess took.   

There was a second card used in 2019 showing the entire family. The image was not released by Kensington Palace but shared on social media by someone who received the card.

The 2018 photo by Mr. Porteous features a relaxed Cambridge family at Anmer Hall.

Everyone was dressed more formally for the image used in 2017. It was taken by Chris Jackson, Getty’s royal photographer.

In 2016, the family used a picture from a children’s party held during their 2016 Canada tour. 

The very first ‘official family photo’ released in conjunction with the holidays was this 2015 picture, taken by Chris Jelf at Kensington Palace.

For the 2014 holiday season, the family shared a series of pictures of Prince George taken by Edward Lane Fox, Prince Harry’s former private secretary. The young prince was seated on the steps of Kensington Palace in the images.

Now for our look at some montages that definitely fit in the “My, How They Have Grown” category, headshots of the three children from the past three years. We begin with Prince George.

Princess Charlotte.

And Prince Louis.

Now for a quick look at what the children are wearing in the new photo. Prince George has on what looks like a Ralph Lauren Polo Shirt ($39.99) in a color called Scottsdale Blue.

His shorts are similar to a Boden style we have seen him wear, but it’s not possible to identify them from the photo.

The Princess was in a piece by Sfera, one of the brands owned by El Corte Inglés and a brand also worn by Prince Louis and Prince George. Princess Charlotte is in the Chambray Jumpsuit with Strawberries and Frill, with thanks to UFO No More for this ID. It looked like she also had on a pair of the oft-seen Hampton Canvas Plimsolls by Trotters ($42).

The Sfera romper is 100% cotton with elastic at the waist and a tie, two patch pockets, the strawberry motif at the bodies, and red frill trim at the hem of the belled sleeves.

Prince Louis wears a striped knit polo shirt that I haven’t identified yet. It is similar to the Rachel Riley striped polo he has worn previously, but this one has a pocket at the chest and a shorter placket with a different collar style. (While it may look like there is a logo on the left chest, that is a pocket that is gaping open a little bit.)

I will take a look tomorrow at the boys’ shoes and the polo/shorts styles Prince Louis wore and update the post if there is new information on the styles. UPDATE DEC 14: With thanks to Maruška for her comment, it looks like Prince Louis is wearing a J. Crew top, the brand’s Kids’ Short Sleeve Polo Shirt in Stripe (now sold out). 

The piece is 100% cotton with a pocket on the left. It is now sold out, but Target offers the Hope & Henry Boys’ Jersey Polo ($21.95); it is also available at Macy’s ($21.95). Dillard’s also has a similar style ($15.95) in big boy sizes.