A Festive Message That Won Praise
Just one day after King Charles III and Queen Camilla unveiled their official Christmas card, the Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeannette Young, revealed that she too had received a “special” holiday card from Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
Posting on Facebook, Dr Young shared her delight at the personal gesture, which followed the Princess Royal’s recent visit to Australia in November. Anne, long regarded as “the hardest working royal,” completed a whirlwind three-day schedule across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.
“The arrival of a special Christmas card from The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence has set a festive tone at Government House,” Dr Young wrote, adding that she had been honoured to host the Princess during her visit.
The post also included photos of Anne’s engagements, along with the front of the Christmas card itself.
A Simple Card With a Subtle Statement
The card—shared online before Anne released it formally—features a warm photograph of Anne and Sir Timothy smiling in a carriage during a recent visit to Sark in the English Channel. The image was taken by photographer Aaron Chown.
Inside, the message reads: “With Best Wishes for a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year.”
The couple signed off the card simply as: “Anne and Tim.”
That small detail immediately struck a chord with royal followers.
“The Princess Royal doesn’t need anyone to pompously announce her arrival. On her 2025 Christmas card she signs her name simply as ‘Anne’,” one user wrote on X. Another added, “No need for the princess title and yet so impactful. I love it!”
Royal Experts Praise Anne’s Approach
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also applauded the understated signature, telling the Daily Mail that Anne had set the “correct example” of what a royal Christmas card should be.
“Anne needs no one to blow a trumpet for her,” he said. “The informal photograph of her and her husband in a delightfully bucolic setting sets the tone for the simple greetings from ‘Anne’ and ‘Tim’.”
Fitzwilliams then contrasted Anne’s minimalist approach to titles with Meghan Markle’s, noting ongoing criticism of the Duchess of Sussex for continuing to use her HRH styling on personal gift cards for her brand, As Ever.
