As the countdown to Christmas begins, royal fans are gearing up to be treated to a rare insight into how the royals live - thanks to their annual royal Christmas card.
And this year especially, we're more excited than ever to get a refreshed glimpse of the royals given they've spend a large portion of the year away from the cameras in lockdown for the second year running.
In theory, royal Christmas card photos are an annual nod of gratitude and best wishes, but they are also a poignant reminder of how royal life has changed over the years.
Last year, we were treated to a myriad of candid snaps of the Cambridges, Sussesexes and of course, Charles and Camilla.
Across the pond, Swedish Royals Crown Princess Victoria, her husband, Prince Daniel, Duke of Västergötland and their two children, Princess Estelle and Prince Oscar, have mixed things up in the past, opting to share festive videos of their family for Christmas.
And Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has also been known to hop on the royal Christmas card bandwagon, with the Palace sharing some sweet imagery of the family feeling that undeniable festive cheer.
Since it's the season to be merry, we look at some of the best royal Christmas card photos from the past few decades and see what they reveal about life inside the palace.
![[Prince Charles](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tags/charles-prince-of-wales|target="_blank") and [Princess Diana's](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tags/diana-princess-of-wales|target="_blank") marriage played out in the royal Christmas cards the pair sent.](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/aww/2015/12/07/1449458716063_RoyalChristmascardsart.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![Prince Charles and Princess Diana's 1982 card showed them with baby [Prince William](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tags/prince-william-duke-of-cambridge|target="_blank").](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/AWW/2014/12/02/84839/diana.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![Smiles all around for Prince Charles and Princess Diana's 1985 Christmas card with Prince William and [Prince Harry](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/prince-harry-fuels-meghan-markle-engagement-rumours-42620|target="_blank").](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/AWW/2014/12/02/84852/diana1.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![[Queen Elizabeth](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tags/Queen-Elizabeth-II|target="_blank")'s Christmas card with [Prince Philip](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/queen-elizabeth-prince-philip-cutest-moments-37228|target="_blank") and their grandchildren, Prince William and Prince Harry, and Zara and Peter Phillips and in 1987.](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/AWW/2014/12/02/84841/1987.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![The Queen and Prince Philip were photographed alone for their 1995 card as their two sons' marriages were in the process of breaking down. Prince Charles and [Prince Andrew](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tags/prince-andrew-duke-of-york|target="_blank") split from Diana and Sarah respectively in the following year.](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/AWW/2014/12/02/84842/Queen-and-Phillip-1995.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![Charles and [Camilla](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tags/camilla-duchess-of-cornwall|target="_blank") used a photo from their wedding day on their 2005 card.](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/AWW/2014/12/02/84847/2005.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![Going strong: Prince Charles and Camilla's 2011 Christmas card picture was a picture on the balcony at [Duchess Catherine](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/tags/catherine-duchess-of-cambridge|target="_blank") and Prince William's wedding.](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/AWW/2014/12/02/84850/charles.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![This is one happy family! [Prince Albert](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/international-royals/prince-alberts-love-children-together-40345|target="_blank") and Princess Charlene are pictured with their twins, [Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/international-royals/monacos-prince-jacques-and-princess-gabriella-turn-two-33008|target="_blank").](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/aww/2015/12/22/1450741309773_Monacoroyalchristmascard.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![In 2018, Meghan and Harry picked a gorgeous photo capturing a special moment from their big royal wedding taken in May. The stunning image was a poignant one for the royals - their first Christmas as a married couple, and their last Christmas as a family of two - [baby Archie](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/baby-archie-photos-2019-60418|target="_blank") joined the Sussex clan just five months later in May 2019.](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2019/12/02/1575257518793_154482923012020181215001376295224-original.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![Meanwhile, the Cambridge clan didn't fail to disappoint, sharing a [gorgeous family picture](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/royal-christmas-card-photo-2018-53117|target="_blank") taken at their Norfolk country home. Talk about all the warm fuzzies!](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2019/12/02/1575257518793_154482865719920181215001376295331-original.jpg?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![In 2019, Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry switched things up a tad with this [gorgeous e-card](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/prince-harry-meghan-markle-archie-christmas-card-61937|target="_blank") (a very eco-friendly choice) - fans were thrilled to see little Archie front and centre as his parents joyfully look on.](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2020/12/01/1606787093272_1577143020980ScreenShot2019-12-24at10.07.02am.png?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
![While the Cambridge's didn't publicly release an image in 2019, eagle eyed royal fans [spotted this surfaced pic of the family](https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/cambridge-christmas-card-photo-leaked-61903|target="_blank") sent to select recipients for Christmas. It looked to be taken in UK summer that year. Sitting atop a motorbike at their country residence Anmer Hall, the beautiful family looked relaxed in the sunshine.](https://d3lp4xedbqa8a5.cloudfront.net/s3/digital-cougar-assets/now/2020/12/01/1606787226245_Cambridges.JPG?width=690&height=&mode=crop&scale=both&anchor=topcenter&quality=70)
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