We've officially entered the holiday season, meaning the royal family has released the holiday photo for their Christmas card. Today, Prince William and Kate Middleton shared theirs, and there's no question that the kids are the stars of the photo this year.
The card this year was simple — just the family.
The royal parents, along with Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, kept their photo for this year's card pretty simple.
This one was more toned down than the typical photos they share for the holidays, which are full of color and personality. The family chose a specific portrait-style image of just the five of them dressed the same in dark trousers or jeans for Kate and Charlotte and a white buttoned top.
The image was taken in what looks like a studio.
Another departure from what this family typically chooses to highlight for their yearly Christmas card photo is that it appears to be taken inside a studio.
The background and floor give school photo vibes with the patterned look of the backdrop and floor. Typically, the family chooses images where they're all outside, doing something fun, which is another reason this image stands out.
Princess Charlotte is front and center.
In the image, Princess Charlotte is in the middle with the rest of the family fanned out around her. She's sitting on a chair with her mom and dad behind her, her older brother to her left (our right), and her younger brother, Louis, on the other side.
She takes a lot of of the spotlight because she's right in the middle, but she also looks so much older than the last time we saw a photo of her and her beautiful long hair. She looks like the splitting image of her dad, too.
But Prince Louis standing in front of his dad is a focal point, too.
Louis, who is the only one wearing shorts (because he's only 5 years old), was bound to be a focal point because people want to see if or how he can take some of the spotlight.
But it looks like he's on his best behavior for this photo. Or that could be because his dad's hand is gently but firmly on his shoulder. Louis is growing up, and you can see a lot of Kate in his face.
And, of course, Prince George, who is standing in the back, stands out as well.
The first thing to notice about Prince George is his height at 10 years old. He's shot up past his mom's shoulder, and it really appears he's grown up so much since we saw him out and about over the summer.
He casually had his hand in his pocket as he looked at the camera. It's wild how much he's grown up, and people in the comments feel the same way.
The spotlight was all on the kiddos.
The family shared the image across their social channels, and people had reactions right away. It's clear the kids were the real focus of this photo.
“Wow Prince George is going to be a heartthrob like his father, The Prince of Wales,” one fan explained. “Princess Charlotte is going to be gorgeous like her mummy. Prince Louise adorable as always.”
"Prince George such a beautiful young man and Princess Charlotte is unbelievably nice. The small one lovely as always," another commenter wrote.
'Charlotte has the nobility and ladylikeness of the late Queen Elizabeth,' another fan shared.
"Looks like George will grow up to be a serious gentleman," commented someone else.
"I reckon that's a firm hand on Prince Louis to stop him running off! Love that mischievous kid!" one person added.
"The princess is a carbon copy of her dad, the youngest prince of his mom, the eldest is both parents," another fan wrote.
It appears the Christmas photo was a hit and an interesting pivot from their typical shares.
