Royals

King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Their First Christmas Card of Reign — See the Photo They Chose

The royal family is celebrating Christmas with a beloved tradition, despite Queen Elizabeth's death in September

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Published on December 11, 2022 05:25 PM

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO SALES Terms of Release - Copyright of the photograph belongs to Samir Hussein. Publications are asked to credit Samir Hussein. The photograph is being made available by way of licence on condition that: The photograph should be solely used from news editorial purposes only. It shall not be approved for souvenirs, or memorabilia; or anything colourably similar. No charge should be made for the supply, release or publication of the photograph. There shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photograph. The photograph must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form and must include all of the individuals when published. The photograph shall not be used after 31st January 2023 without prior permission from Buckingham Palace. Any questions relating to additional use of the photograph should be first directed to Buckingham Palace. In this handout provided by Buckingham Palace on December 11, 2022, the 2022 Christmas card of King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort in front of a Christmas tree in Clarence House, on December 11, 2022 in London, England. The photograph was taken at the Braemar Games on the 3rd September 2022 by Samir Hussein. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Buckingham Palace via Getty Images) — Photo: Samir Hussein/Buckingham Palace via Getty

King Charles III and Queen Camilla's Christmas card is in the mail!

Keeping with a royal family tradition, the couple shared the candid photo they've chosen to grace this year's holiday card, featuring a smiling Charles, 74, as Camilla, 75, lovingly looks at him.

"Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year," the inscription reads.

The photo was taken by Samir Hussein at the Braemar Games, a special exhibition of the Scottish heritage and their traditional games that takes place each year in the Scottish Highlands, in early September, just days before the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

"Really proud that my photo has been selected as the King & Queen Consort's Christmas card for a second consecutive year," Hussein wrote on Twitter.

BRAEMAR, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay when in Scotland and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend the Braemar Highland Gathering at the Princess Royal & Duke of Fife Memorial Park on September 03, 2022 in Braemar, Scotland. The Braemar Gathering is the most famous of the Highland Games and is known worldwide. Each year thousands of visitors descend on this small Scottish village on the first Saturday in September to watch one of the more colourful Scottish traditions. The Gathering has a long history and in its modern form it stretches back nearly 200 years. The Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Archway was designed by architect Keith Ross, erected to celebrate 70 years of Her Majesty as monarch and as Patron of The Braemar Royal Highland Society, organiser of the annual Braemar Gathering. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) — King Charles and Queen Camilla. Chris Jackson/Getty

Last year, the then-Prince Charles and Camilla opted for another candid photo that reflected the precautions people have taken amid the ongoing COVID pandemic. The photo showed Charles wearing a mask as he helps his wife put on her face covering during Royal Ascot that summer.

The royal couple have varied their photo choices over the years. The couple chose a casual photo of themselves in the colorful garden of Birkhall, the prince's Scottish home in 2020. In 2019, they opted for a photo from one of their most exciting royal duties of the year: their visit to Havana, Cuba.

This year's card comes as King Charles and Queen Camilla prepare to mark the first holiday season since Queen Elizabeth's death. They've announced that they will be keeping the tradition of spending Christmas at Sandringham, the late Queen's beloved country estate in Norfolk. They will likely be joined by many members of the family including King Charles' siblings — Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — as well as his son Prince William, daughter-in-law Kate Middleton and their children.

RELATED VIDEO: King Charles Will Continue Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Tradition with the Royal Family

Each December 25, the royal family heads to St. Mary Magdalene church for mass, followed by greeting well-wishers. They then head back to Sandringham to enjoy a traditional turkey holiday feast.

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This year, King Charles will record his first Christmas broadcast, which the family traditionally watches at 3 p.m. local time on Christmas Day.