Queen wears 'happiness restored' brooch in yearly Christmas card

The Queen has showcased a brooch representing the return of happiness in this years Christmas card alongside the King. For the card, the royal couple selected a portrait commemorating their 20th wedding anniversary, captured earlier this year in the gardens of the British ambassadors residence in Rome.

In the image, Queen Camilla wears a white and beige coat dress by Anna Valentine, complemented by the iconic Lily of the Valley brooch created by Faberg, previously owned by the Queen Mother. The flower is traditionally linked to fresh beginnings, joy, love, and marital harmony, often appearing in royal wedding bouquets.

The photograph, taken by royal photographer Chris Jackson at Villa Wolkonsky, is framed with a dark red border. The cards opposite page carries the greeting: Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

The King and Queen celebrated their 20th anniversary on April 9 during a state visit to Italy, where they attended a grand banquet as guests of honor. In the portrait, the King is dressed in a blue pinstripe suit, grey tie, and a silk handkerchief in his chest pocket.

Each year, Their Majesties distribute hundreds of Christmas cards to relatives, friends, world leaders, diplomats, charities, and various organizations. This holiday season, King Charles will host the extended royal family at Sandringham in Norfolk, where traditions include walking to church on Christmas morning, enjoying a turkey roast, and watching the Kings Christmas message on television.

This year, some family members, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, will not attend following the loss of their titles. Despite ongoing weekly treatments, the King has maintained a busy schedule, traveling to Canada, meeting the Pope at the Vatican, and hosting three state visits in the UKthe first time in nearly four decades that three such visits have occurred in a single year.

Author: Jackson Miller