Royal Family: Here's why Prince Edward and Sophie's children never appear on their Christmas cards

As the Earl and Countess of Wessex release their Christmas card, it has come to light that their daughter, Lady Louise, and their son, Viscount Severn, do not appear in the chosen photo.

Nothing unusual

Royal fans eagerly await to see the Royal Family’s different Christmas cards each year. The now-Waleses always release a beautiful family portrait showcasing their delightful three children.

With the Viscount’s birthday so close to Christmas, the Wessexes make sure not to release their card until after their son’s birthday celebrations. This year is no different from the previous two years; neither of the Wessexes’ children are on their festive card. That’s to say, Prince Edward and Sophie haven’t released a card with their children on it for the third consecutive year.

There is some speculation as to why the Earl and Countess of Wessex keep bypassing their children on their official Christmas cards. Some believe it is due to a 2016 interview Sophie gave regarding their wish to give her children the most ‘normal’ upbringing’ possible.

Sophie explained:

Certainly, when they were very young, we tried to keep them out of it. Only because for their sakes.

The Countess affirmed her position in a Sunday Times interview in 2020:

We try to bring them up with the understanding they are very likely to have to work for a living.

A tribute to the Queen

Prince Edward and Sophie have decided to pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II with their Christmas card this year. The photo is of the late Queen’s youngest son, Prince Edward standing between Elizabeth and his wife, Sophie. According to Mail Online, the image was taken at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, in June.

A second photo inside the card shows the Queen and her husband Prince Philip in the Scottish Highlands in 2003. The image, which the Countess took, was released shortly after the death of the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.

The greetings on the card read:

In memory of happy days.

This a poignant reminder that the Royal Family will be spending their first Christmas without their mother, grandmother and, for some, great-grandmother.

Sources used:

Woman and Home: Why rarely-seen royal James, Viscount Severn might not appear on Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex’s Christmas card this year

Mail Online: 'In memory of happy days': Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex pay tribute to the late Queen and Prince Philip with their 2022 Christmas card