Around this time every year we start seeing Christmas cards from friends and family mixed in with our regular mail. Many of these cards are from boxed sets that feature wintery pictures and inspirational messages about hope for the new year. After a year like 2020, we can all definitely use hope for the new year!

Another type of card that has become more and more popular over the years is the photo card. Many families plan photo shoots well in advance of Christmas so they can capture adorable pictures of their children smiling for the camera and family photos that capture a moment in time.

If you have ever tried to take a picture of more than one child at the same time, you probably know how hard it is to get everyone to smile and look at the camera at the same time. Professional photographers have their tricks, but it can still be extremely hard to get a perfectly staged photo.

Prince William and Kate Middleton, like so many other families, had professional family photos taken for their Christmas cards. Their photographer, Matt Porteous, took this year’s photo, and he wrote on Instagram, “It was an honour to photograph The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family. Capturing the fun and relaxed moments between such a wonderful family is always a true privilege.”⁠⠀

The photo is absolutely adorable. It features all five members of the Cambridge family looking at the camera. Seven-year-old Prince George stands next to his dad. Five-year-old Princess Charlotte sits on her mom’s lap. Two-year-old Prince Louis stands in-between his parents, and he is clearly the star of the photo.

While the rest of the family smiles politely for the camera, Louis has his mouth open wide in the biggest grin he can manage. Actual, he’s probably laughing about something, but we like to imagine that he’s saying, “Merry Christmas.”

 

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A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal)

This is certainly an adorable Christmas card photo. We can’t help but wonder the story behind the young prince’s laugh. Did someone tell him a joke? Did one of his parents tickle him? Did he think the photographer looked funny? We may never know, but the photo certainly makes us smile.

Do you usually take family photos for your Christmas cards? Do you have a hard time getting your kids to smile for the camera?