SEASON'S GREETINGS

Christmas cards give a rare glimpse into the lives of the royals, reflecting historical moments, personal milestones and their enduring connection with the public

- CATHERINE OLIVE

KING CHARLES MARKING MEMORABLE LIFETIME MILESTONES

When it comes to royal yuletide correspondence, King Charles has quite the act to follow! His mother and predecessor, Queen Elizabeth II, would send out around 800 exquisitely printed cards every December, beginning the mammoth task of signing them in the summer.

Featuring carefully posed portraits of herself, the Duke of Edinburgh and their growing family, the cards were eagerly anticipated by royal fans as they watched their journey unfold.

Charles has upheld the tradition with his own distinctive missives, each offering a look at the celebrations and struggles of his personal life. In 1981, following his marriage to Diana, the newlyweds' first greeting as husband and wife captured them in a post-ceremony portrait - a joyful symbol of global fascination. From then on, the delivery of the couple's Christmas card became an international event, particularly after the arrival of their sons. William and Harry added charm and consistency, with the young princes appearing in perfectly posed family shots for years.

The 1990s, however, brought challenges. Charles and Diana's split reshaped family dynamics. The boys divided their time between them and appeared on cards with both parents.

Just as Diana had to forge a path as an independent woman, Charles needed to find his feet as a single dad, and his quirky sense of humour was one of the ways he bonded with his sons. Their father's playful side shone in his 1995 greeting, which featured him flanked by William and Harry in giant flowerpots.