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Royals at Christmas: A look back at the festive cards from the Windsors
Christmas is on its way and many families may have considered getting a beautiful family portrait to mark how the year has shaped them.
With so many families separated, sharing treasured memories as a Christmas card is a lovely way to update loved ones with events of the past year.
The British royal family is no exception.
For generations, they've been gifting family portraits as Christmas cards.
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In recent years, the royals have sometimes released those photos on their official websites and social accounts, giving an insight into their lives and really showing they, especially the younger ones, are just like us (when it comes to family snaps, that is!).
Our favourite royal Christmas cards over the years
This 1929 Royal Christmas card from the #RoyalArchives shows The Duke and Duchess of York, the future King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, and their three-year-old daughter, Princess Elizabeth of York, now The Queen.
This year Kate Middleton and Prince William decided to release an adorable photo from their family holiday to Jordan earlier in the year. The whole family can be seen beaming, dressed in their best summer attire.
The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla chose a family photograph taken at their April wedding for their 2005 Christmas card.
The photograph features Charles' sons, Prince Harry and Prince William, and Camilla's children, Laura and Tom Parker Bowles, with them in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.
It was the first time Camilla appeared on Charles' Christmas card (their version on insta official!).
Poignant cards show happiness and tragedy
Royal cards can be poignant collectors' items, as this picture of an auctioneer holding cards from 1991 and 1997 shows.
The first card shows Charles, Diana, William and Harry in happier times.
The second is the first Christmas card sent after the boys lost their mum.
The photo of the Prince of Wales and his two sons was taken just days before the death of Princess Diana.
Camera captures new family for Christmas
While the central photograph in the spread below is not a Christmas card, the one to the left shows Charles and Diana's first card as parents in 1982, with a rugged up Prince William.
The black and white photo at bottom right was Diana's first Christmas card after splitting with Charles in 1995, prior to their divorce in August 1996.
The stunning portrait was a beautiful close-up of the princess and her boys William, 13 and Harry, 11.
A Royal family grows up
Charles and Diana continued to pose for family shots for those on their Christmas card list.
In 1987, the couple's card showed them with a laughing five-year-old Prince William and three-year-old Prince Harry.
In 1988, the couple's card showed them leaning on a country gate with their boys.
Cards record Christmases past
Another auction featured Christmas cards from the British Royal Family back in 1969 and again in 1979.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh looked relaxed on holidays with their children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne – Princess Royal, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
Royal Christmas cards from 1957 and 1965 show that Queen Elizabeth II has often chosen an informal snap of her and the Duke of Edinburgh with their children.
Perhaps now you have got a few extra ideas for your Christmas snaps?
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