A new Christmas card photo of the Wales family was released today by Kensington Palace.
The message accompanying the 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. The image was shot by Matt Porteous, who took the photos used for the 2020 and 2018 holiday cards, and several other notable events for the family.
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, shared their 2022 Christmas card earlier this week. The image was shot by Samir Hussein at the Braemar Games in September.
Now for a look back at the Cambridge/Wales annual family photos. In 2021, the Cambridges posed during a vacation in Jordan. The Duchess of Cambridge wore a dress by Sea NY. 
Below, the 2020 image by Mr. Porteous, shot at the family’s country estate, Anmer Hall.
In 2019, the Duchess took the photo used for the cards. 
There was also a more formal photo used in 2019. The image was not released by Kensington Palace but was posted on social media by an individual who received the card. 
The 2018 photo by Mr. Porteous is one of my favorites, showing a relaxed Cambridge family at Anmer Hall. The Duchess sported her Fjällräven Övik Re-Wool Style sweater, and gingham checked shirt.
A formal posed image was used for 2017’s holiday cards. It was taken by Chris Jackson, Getty’s royal photographer. The Duchess wore a Catherine Walker suit first seen during her solo 2016 trip to the Netherlands.
For their 2016 Christmas cards, as well as thank you notes, the family used a picture from a children’s party held during their 2016 Canada tour. The Duchess wore a See by Chloé dress in that picture.
The first time the family released an official photo for Christmas was in 2015, sharing an image with a very young Princess Charlotte and older brother Prince George, taken by Chris Jelf at Kensington Palace. I don’t believe we definitively identified the shirt or sweater seen in this image. 
For the 2014 holiday season, the family released a series of pictures showing a jolly-looking Prince George on the steps of Kensington Palace. They were taken by Edward Lane Fox, Prince Harry’s former private secretary.
Now for our look at what Kate wears in the new photo. She brought back a piece first worn in May 2019 (in photos shot by Matt Porteous) at the unveiling of her Back to Nature Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.
We saw the shirt again during June 2020 Zoom calls made during the UK’s annual Volunteers Week. 
The Mabel Shirt by MiH Jeans is crafted from a lightweight cotton broderie Anglaise with a floral motif. It featured a button front, puffed sleeves, and scalloped trim at the cuffs, hem, and neckline. 
I can’t tell from the photos precisely which jeans the Duchess is wearing, but we can see she has on her Superga Cotu Classic sneaker ($51.78 at Zappos, $65 at Nordstrom). The style is only $19.99 at Superga, but they only have a few sizes available. A shopping note: Superga shows its entire site priced at $19.99 as of tonight. 
Tonight’s What Kate’s Kids Wore post has details on what the children are wearing in the new photo.
I will see you Thursday when the Princess of Wales hosts the second annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.
Laura
Monday 19th of December 2022
What a lovely photo! The children are looking so grown-up.
I love this blouse. Delicate, feminine, but also crisp and cool for summer. A nice mix of casual and dressy.
Caroline A.
Saturday 17th of December 2022
This is the first Christmas card photo in which the family is walking. It seems to convey the message that they are moving forward in their lives. This is especially poignant given the events of the past year. I myself don’t find summer photos on their Christmas cards incongruous with the season because I live in New Zealand, which is in summer at Christmas. I wouldn’t mind if the photos were autumn or winter ones though. The Prince and Princess of Wales seem to be deliberately choosing images that depict them as a normal family, rather than ones that emphasise their elevated status in society. They do seem to strive to live as normal a life as a family as possible. I think they want to set clear boundaries between their working lives and their personal lives, and are demonstrating that it is possible to continue their duties whilst also enjoying a happy, private family life. I am sure that they are acutely aware of the need to protect their children’s mental health, and they doing an admirable job of it, in my opinion.
Caroline A.
Tessa
Thursday 15th of December 2022
I just love this photo -- such a happy family that truly love each other's company. It just exudes when they're together. Catherine's shirt is lovely, although I have to agree with those that vote for a bit looser jeans. The tightness of them was the first thing that caught my eye and it was a tad jarring. But everything else is spot on. I love the children cascading down in height. And I can never get over how much Louis looks like Michael Middleton.
ElizaMo
Thursday 15th of December 2022
Such a lovely sunny picture at our cold time of the year, great to be reminded of warmer times. As always, it's a shock to see how the children have grown, they are babies no more.
It's always good to see Catherine in casual, she hasn't had much opportunity this year, but I'm not a fan of this outfit. I fully respect her right to dress how she pleases when off-duty, but for me it is looking a bit top-heavy with the full blouse and skinny jeans. I think the effect may be exaggerated by the angle of the camera. The lightweight MiH Jeans broderie anglaise was introduced to us in a gardening context and I have no doubt of its friendly comfort in warm weather, but it's not a fabric which is likely to sit well. This picture is not about fashion of course, but about family, on which it scores full marks.
Mel
Thursday 15th of December 2022
I love the dress Princess Kate is wearing in the old formal photo - very chic and reminds me of Jackie Kennedy's elegance and timelessness. I understand the trend though is to be less formal. I wish they had chosen a photo where Prince William was looking at the camera too. But otherwise the photo is as lovely as ever, perhaps with the background of this year's photo being one of my new favourites.
One tiny nitpick to an otherwise perfect photo, if the admins will allow my comment with it, is that I wish Prince William and Prince George didn't wear shirts with logos. With trainers, it's all but impossible to avoid, but shirts without logos are relatively easier to come by.