Buckingham Palace has revealed the official 2025 Christmas card from King Charles III and Queen Camilla — and royal fans believe the Queen included a subtle, symbolic gesture of support for the King as he continues his battle with cancer.
A Special Photo Marking a Milestone
Released on Saturday, the new Christmas card features a photograph taken earlier this year to celebrate the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary.
The picture, published across the Royal Family’s social media platforms, was captured by photographer Chris Jackson in the sunlit gardens of Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome, during their state visit.
Beside the image appears a printed seasonal greeting: “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.”
This is the fourth holiday card issued since Charles ascended the throne.
A Portrait Filled With Symbolism
In the photograph, the 77-year-old monarch is dressed in a dark blue suit and grey tie. Queen Camilla, 78, wears a white and beige coat dress by London designer Anna Valentine.
But what truly caught the attention of royal observers was a small but meaningful detail: the Queen’s Lily of the Valley brooch, a piece once worn by the Queen Mother.
Crafted by Fabergé, the brooch was gifted to the Queen Mother in April 1956 by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. The design resembles a sprig of Lily of the Valley — a flower celebrated in many cultures as a symbol of marital happiness and, according to mythology, presented by Zeus to Hera on their wedding day.
In Victorian symbolism, it also represented “a return to happiness,” a notably tender message given the King’s difficult past two years.
A Challenging Period for the Monarch
King Charles was diagnosed in February 2024 with an undisclosed form of cancer, discovered following treatment for an enlarged prostate. Nearly two years on, he continues to undergo treatment while maintaining a full schedule of royal duties.
Alongside his health concerns, the King has also weathered tension within the family — including a strained relationship with Prince Harry, who stepped away from royal life in 2020 with Meghan Markle, and ongoing fallout surrounding Prince Andrew’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, which resulted in Charles removing his brother’s royal title and privileges.
Fans React to the Meaningful Choice
Supporters were quick to comment on both the photograph and Camilla’s meaningful accessory.