King Charles and Queen Camilla pay homage to 20th wedding anniversary on Christmas card

Fintan Starkey

By Fintan Starkey


Published: 06/12/2025

- 22:30

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will not be in attending the Royal Family's festive celebrations

The King and Queen have unveiled this year's official Christmas card, selecting a portrait captured during their 20th wedding anniversary celebrations in Rome.

The image, photographed by Chris Jackson at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador's Italian residence, shows the couple standing together with the Camilla's arm linked with Charles's.


For the occasion, Camilla chose a white and beige coat dress designed by Anna Valentine, accessorised with a lily of the valley brooch.

Charles opted for a blue pinstripe suit paired with a grey tie, completing the look with a silk handkerchief tucked into his breast pocket.

King Charles, Queen Camilla

King Charles and Queen Camilla have unveiled their 2025 Christmas card

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PA

The royal couple distribute hundreds of cards annually to relatives, friends, heads of state, diplomatic contacts and charitable organisations.

A dark red border frames the photograph within the card, while the accompanying message appears in a matching shade on the opposite page, reading "Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year".

Charles and Camilla marked two decades of marriage on April 9 2025, reaching this significant milestone whilst abroad on official duties during their Italian state visit.

The anniversary evening saw them honoured as principal guests at a grand banquet.

The portrait selection carries particular significance given the circumstances surrounding its capture, with the couple having combined their personal celebration with diplomatic responsibilities representing the Crown overseas.

Despite the King's ongoing cancer treatment, the past 12 months have seen an exceptionally active schedule for the royal couple.

Their engagements included a trip to Canada and an audience with the Pope at the Vatican.

King Charles, Queen Camilla

King Charles and Queen Camilla are gearing up for their festive celebrations

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PA

The year proved particularly notable for incoming state visits, with Charles and Camilla welcoming three foreign leaders to Windsor.

French President Emmanuel Macron, US President Donald Trump and, most recently, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier were all received with full ceremonial honours.

This marks the first occasion in almost four decades that Britain has hosted three state visits within a single calendar year.

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In his Christmas address last year, Charles paid tribute to the "selfless" medical professionals who provided "strength, care and comfort" during treatment for both himself and the Princess of Wales.

Christmas Day celebrations will take place at Sandringham in Norfolk, where the King is preparing to host the extended royal family.

The Prince of Wales revealed last year that festivities involved 45 relatives gathering "all in one room".

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has not been invited to Christmas celebrations this year

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GETTY

However, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will not be among those attending.

The former prince has been banished from royal gatherings and stripped of his titles following his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson has similarly been excluded from the guest list.

The family traditionally attends church on Christmas morning before returning for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, followed by the King's televised broadcast.