Prince William, Princess Catherine, release holiday card amid surprise Christmas move
Prince William and Princess Catherine have released a Christmas card after their “hardest year’ as it was revealed they would not be joining the rest of the royals at a major family occasion.
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Prince William and Princess Catherine have released a family Christmas card – and it’s a poignant nod to their “hardest year”.
The card features a photo taken from the princess’ September video where she revealed she had finished chemotherapy.
The card features a relaxed image of the family, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, taken at their Norfolk home. The message reads: “Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas.”
Last month, Prince William said the cancer diagnoses of Princess Catherine and his father, King Charles, were “brutal”, but he was “so proud” of both.
Asked on a trip to South Africa how his year has been, he replied: “Honestly? It’s been dreadful.
“It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
The Wales’ understated card is in stark contrast to the elaborate holiday card released by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The Sussexes’ card featured six photos of the couple – including a rare image of Archie and Lilibet – along with the message: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year.”
Meanwhile, Prince William and Princess Catherine were a no-show at the Royal Family’s traditional pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Thursday local time.
The royal couple are already in Norfolk where they have a home, as had been planned, and are looking forward to spending time with the rest of the Royal Family at Sandringham over Christmas, a royal source said, according to Sky News.
The Buckingham Palace lunch is a private event for senior royals and their wider family who won’t be at the Christmas Day celebrations at the King’s Norfolk home.
Prince Andrew did not attend the gathering after speaking to his ex-wife and close friend Sarah, Duchess of York, according to a source, amid continuing speculation over his links to an alleged Chinese spy.
The Duke and Duchess of York will also not attend celebrations at Sandringham on Christmas Day.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were pictured arriving at Buckingham Palace just before 11am local time followed by the Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.
Also in attendance were Princess Anne and her husband Sir Timothy Laurence, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank, and Princess Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Other guests on the guest list were the King’s second cousin Lady Gabriella Windsor; Penelope Knatchbull; and Lord Frederick Windsor with his wife Sophie Winkleman and their daughter Isabella.
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