King Charles and Queen Camilla have chosen a sweet photograph taken in the garden at Buckingham Palace for their Christmas card this year.
The new image, captured by photographer Millie Pilkington in April 2024, shows the smiling couple standing side by side in the palace garden on what appears to be a bright and sunny day.
The King is wearing a grey suit with a patterned blue tie and pocket square, while the Queen is wearing a blue wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and jewellery from her private collection.
But there’s one thing you may not have noticed about the image – it was taken at the same time as another potrait of the royal couple.
Ms Pilkington took the image on April 10, when the monarch was advised to shield from the public as he underwent cancer treatment.
Charles, 76, was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer at the start of the year, with Buckingham Palace announcing the news on February 5.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” the Palace said in a statement.
“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”
The Palace noted that the King does not have prostate cancer but would not be sharing what type of cancer he has.
Charles’s first public appearance since the announcement was on March 31, when he joined a small group of royals for the Easter Sunday church service in Windsor.
Weeks later, the Palace announced that the King would be returning to public engagements. In tandem with the announcement, the Palace shared a new portrait of the King and Queen, taken on the morning of April 10 by Ms Pilkington.
Ms Pilkington took the portrait, which showed the pair arm-in-arm in the Palace Gardens looking very much in love, at the same time as the one used for the 2024 Christmas card.
The photographer took the images a day after the couple celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary.
Ms Pilkington is a favoured photographer for the Royal Family, having taken an official wedding portrait of the Prince and Princess of Wales – which was shared for the first time in April to mark their 13th wedding anniversary.
The snapper, who is based in Dorset and specialises in weddings and children’s portraits, has also photographed William and Kate’s three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.