Today Kensington Palace released a new photo of the Cambridges.
The news release says the photo is being used for Christmas cards the Duke and Duchess are sending out this year. The image was taken at Kensington Palace this summer by Getty Images photographer Chris Jackson. He shared it on his Instagram page today.
His thoughts about the couple using this photo:
Delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen to use this family portrait I shot as their Christmas Card this year – Merry Christmas!
My guess is the picture was taken shortly before the family started its tour of Poland and Germany. The shirt George is wearing is the one seen in his official 4th birthday portrait (also taken by Chris Jackson). It is from Amaia Kids, one of the Spanish retailers Kate favors.
Most everyone immediately recognized what Kate wore in the photograph: the bespoke Catherine Walker suit first worn during her solo trip to the Netherlands in October 2016.
You can see Kate wore her Gianvito Rossi suede pumps in the ‘praline’ colorway. They are available in very limited sizes at Net-a-Porter ($675), and Madison Style has the shoe in small sizes in very limited quantities.
It’s hard to see exactly which pair of earrings Kate has on; if making a guess I would say a pair from her Kiki McDonough collection, perhaps the pink morganite drops.
Previous Christmastime photos include these 2014 shots of Prince George in his Cath Kidston vest.
In 2015 we saw a shot of the family in Kensington Gardens.
Last year the picture was from a September 2016 function, the children’s party held during the Canada Tour.
Just a quick heads-up: there has been chatter on social media about some/all of the new picture being photoshopped. While I don’t dismiss the merits of such a conversation, this isn’t the place to hold the discussion.
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The other news today from Kensington Palace: word that Charlotte will start at Willcocks Nursery School in January.
More from The Telegraph’s story:
Tatler, the society magazine, described the nursery school as a “hidden gem” that “flies under the radar”, claiming that it is attended by British children and “chic foreigners” alike, some of whom register their children at birth in order to ensure them a place.
Described by parents as “kind and gentle”, the school has an all-female staff and its stated ethos is “for high standards, excellence and good manners”.
Apparently, Charlotte won’t do half-days, but will take part in both morning and afternoon classes; the afternoon sessions meet just 3 days a week.
For all of the details on what Princess Charlotte and Prince George are wearing in the new picture, visit our sister site, What Kate’s Kids Wore.
We have a quick couple of retail roundup deals to share.
- Aquatalia has marked down the current version of the Rumbah to $188; it is offered in larger sizes. They are also offering some pretty deep discounts on other styles. (Maybe one of our readers will know the answer to this question: do they generally sell merchandise discounted this much, or is this an anomaly?)
- At Nordstrom the LK Bennett Agata in black is 40% off, making it $237. Also at Nordstrom, the Florete in Kate’s ‘trench’ colorway is 40% off, making it $194.98. A thank you to Kate’s Closet for the tip on the Florete!
- Kate’s Eloise tunic dress by Goat is back in stock, although the available sizes are rapidly dwindling.
I’m crossing my fingers that tomorrow I’ll be doing a post on the Cambridges attending the Queen’s annual Christmas party at Buckingham Palace!
Vintage Lady
Wednesday 20th of December 2017
A really beautiful and coordinated photo and everyone seems to have genuinely happy expressions! The photo seems full of fun and makes me wonder what is making everyone have such playful expressions! For those people who are commenting that the picture is too formal or too staged, our royal family don't have a tradition of posing by a Christmas tree or playing in the snow for similar photos , a quick google search will show this. This may be a "formal" photo but I think their expressions reveal otherwise!
Jeanne
Tuesday 19th of December 2017
The Aquatalia website is also offering an additional 30% off if you use SEASON30 and if you sign up for an account with the website, they sent me a $50 of my first purchase of $150 or more. Didn't realize I had it in my inbox until I made my purchase. Still happy. I purchased the boots for $131.60 and the original price was $750. The sale of the LK Bennett Floret shoe disappeared on me so I am not but I think it might be there website. I hope this helps someone else out.
Mary
Tuesday 19th of December 2017
So festive, warm and cozy. I love all the blue and standing with the white background and white floor. The perfect balance of negative space with cutting edge fashion trends.
LadyLeah
Tuesday 19th of December 2017
Lovely family, but stiff and stilted photo.
And since this IS Whate Kate Wore, I must comment to say that while I really love this suit on Kate, it was an odd choice for a family photo portrait. She has countless pretty dresses that would look more relaxed and joyous.
If they were going for stiff, distant, and formal, plain vanilla, then they hit the right notes.
I don't expect them to be sitting around a fire with mugs of hot cocoa; that's not their public persona. But they do seem loving and engaged with their kids and this photo paints Kate as a stiff, distant mum, which I do not think she is at all. For that reason, I think the professional-looking suit and stiff pose were not suited for a holiday card, no matter how royal they are.
SG
Wednesday 20th of December 2017
I guess they just pick a random photo from the year that they like for their holiday cards because they are never really festive and are usually taken in the summer or fall. This could not have been the best choice out of ALL the pictures that were probably taken throughout the year, and it particularly suffers when it was released around the same time as the Swedish royal family's utterly charming (and seasonally appropriate) video and pictures. I wonder why they don't do a holiday-type photo...several have suggested Kate's pregnancy but as far as I can remember they have never done one.
Stephanie
Tuesday 19th of December 2017
Stunning family, gorgeous suit - I didn't recognize the Catherine Walker, it looks great! The photo is almost too flawless though, I'm disappointed as it looks more sterile than artistic. Fabulous idea to take the family photo before looking too pregnant, what a great tip!