A Look Back at Royal Family Holiday Cards Through the Years

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and that means the Royal Christmas cards are here! Each year we wait with bated breath for the highly anticipated portraits to get a peek at Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and most importantly? The royal kids obviously. As is custom, the Cambridge's 2021 card arrived this December, continuing the beloved tradition. And it's giving us a peek at just how quickly all the kids are growing up.

In honor of the latest never-before-seen family photos, we're taking a trip down memory lane and looking back at the royal Christmas cards of years past.

2021

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Archie, and Lilibet

Meghan and Harry's 2021 holiday card brought plenty of holiday cheer and marked the first time the couple released photos of their daughter, Lilibet Diana, who was born in June 2021. The card, which features the happy family looking cozy and casual in jeans, also makes it clear that Archie has inherited his father's signature red hair! They grow up so fast.

The card's note celebrates the growing family and focuses on their charitable endeavors: “This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a ‘Mama’ and a ‘Papa’, and Lili made us a family. As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families— from those being relocated from Afghanistan to American families in need of paid parental leave.”

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte

This year the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge rallied their children for a sweet portrait during a family vacation to Jordan. Royal photographer Matt Porteous captured the family sitting against a rocky terrain as their backdrop.

2020

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Archie

Although this card was a digital rendering of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and their first child, Archie, fans were still delighted to get a sneak peek at their baby boy. The card was shared on Twitter by The Mayhew, a vet clinic and animal rescue center in London, England.

Prince Charles and Camila, Duchess of Cornwall

In 2020, Prince Charles and his wife Camila, the Duchess of Cornwall, shared their annual photo. This time, it captured the two sitting on a wooden bench in front of a luscious garden in full bloom.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte

For their 2020 holiday card, Kate and Prince William opted for a family shot in front of a large pile of firewood that showed Princess Charlotte sitting on Kate's lap. Both Prince George and Prince Louis leaned against their father's legs while the youngest offered a wide smile.

2019

Prince Charles and Camila, Duchess of Cornwall

For the 2019 card, Prince Charles and Camila chose a photo that featured the couple in an old-fashion convertible.

2018

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

In 2018, the same year they were married, Prince Harry and Meghan surprised their fans with a brand new photo taken by Chris Allerton on their wedding night. The black-and-white snapshot, shared by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Twitter account, captured the newlyweds as they watched a magnificent display of fireworks with their arms around each other.

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, Prince Louis, and Princess Charlotte

Taken in the autumn in front of a fallen tree, this photo shows Kate and William posed with their children. Kate held Louis, who at the time, was still a baby.

Prince Charles and Camila, Duchess of Cornwall

Another wooden bench for Prince Charles and Camila's card in 2018. The Duchess of Cornwall wore an elegant white dress while gazing at her longtime husband Charles.

2017

Prince Charles and Camila, Duchess of Cornwall

Prince Charles and Camila stuck with simplicity in 2017 with a side-by-side photo of the couple.

Kate Middleton, Prince Williams, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte

The Cambridge family looked different back in 2017. Prince Louis had not yet been born, so the duke and duchess posed with their oldest children, Charlotte and George, as they all matched in blue.

2016

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte

In 2016, the family didn't pose for a portrait, but instead used a sweet candid from an event during their royal tour of Canada.

2015

Kate Middleton, Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte

What a difference six years make. In 2015, Kate and William posed with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who was just a baby, at the time. George wore an adorable sweater and button-down combo with short trousers and Mary Jane loafers. His dad William matched him in a navy blue sweater and button-down.