Well, this is quite the departure. Previous years’ Christmas cards from the Waleses have been all woollens and wellies: lots of khaki, checked shirts, hearty outdoor settings, that sort of thing – think Sloanes on safari.
This is far more, dare I say it, California-cool than Norfolk pheasant-shoot.
Stylish, monochrome, relaxed hands-in-pocket, jeans, no socks. (No socks!) Still, at least they’re wearing shoes. Granted, plimsolls. But no bare toes. Not yet, at any rate.
It’s giving Ralph Lauren (literally: there’s a branded polo emblem on Prince George’s chest), it’s giving Dyson Airwrap hair multi-styler and dryer, it’s giving Mr Darcy in a white shirt.
Prince George looks every inch the debonaire future young Duke, hand in pocket, knee bent, steady gaze, as though leaning on a marble mantelpiece scanning the room for debutantes. Is that a small glass of port he’s hiding behind his mother’s back?
Prince William is the beaming, benevolent patriarch, paw resting affectionately on the shoulder of the family’s youngest. Indeed, Louis looks the very spit of Grandpa Middleton (if one can say such a thing these days; one doesn’t want to be accused of ‘unconscious bias’).
The Princess of Wales is fabulous, as always, her dazzling smile pure head girl/homecoming queen perfection, her long locks framing her face with enviable lustre. But the real star of the show, this centrepiece of Royal appreciation, is Princess Charlotte.
Charlotte Is Only Eight But The Camera Already Adores Her
She’s only eight, but already the camera adores her. And she seems at ease, calm and composed an intriguing combination of her mother’s beauty, the late Queen’s poise and self-assurance – and Princess Diana’s magnetism. A superstar in the making.
But it’s not what you might call ‘traditional’. Indeed, the overall effect is the kind of image you’d expect to see on the front cover of a magazine, not a mantelpiece. Hardly surprising, really, since it was created by fashion (and fashionable) photographer Josh Shinner, a regular on publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Esquire.
The professionalism is unmistakable, from the studio backdrop to the impeccable lighting and the chic, understated yet achingly luxurious styling.
It is quite a move for the Waleses, and very much a clear signal that they intend to be in all aspects a ‘modern’ Royal Family.
