Princess Anne‘s reputation as the Royal Family‘s most down-to-earth member was reinforced today when fans got an early look at her and husband Sir Timothy Laurence’s beautiful Christmas card.

While the Princess Royal, 75, has not officially unveiled the season’s greetings, a photo of the simple yet elegant card was shared on the Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeannette Young’s social media accounts on Tuesday, December 9.

Anne selected a lovely image of her and Sir Tim, 69, riding in a carriage during their landmark visit to Sark as the Channel Islands marked Liberation Day on May 10.

The photo was taken by Aaron Chown, and showed the royal couple smiling as they travelled by horse and carriage to La Coupee – a narrow walkway that connects the main island of Sark to the peninsula of Little Sark.

The message inside reads: ‘With Best Wishes for a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year from Anne and Tim.’

After images of the royal Christmas card were reposted on X, fans and commentators alike praised Anne’s humility and grace as they noticed the omission of her ‘princess’ title in the sign-off.

One comment read: ‘No need to blow the trumpet with the princess title and yet impactful. I like it!’

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams agreed, as he told the Daily Mail that the informal photograph of the couple sets the correct example for a royal Christmas card versus Meghan Markle’s continued use of her titles despite quitting the Firm.

Sign up to Palace Confidential

Unlock royal secrets in our FREE newsletter. Delivered at 7pm every Thursday.

By signing up, you will receive our newsletter as well as marketing emails with news, offers and updates from the Daily Mail. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

+5
View gallery

Princess Anne ‘s reputation as the Royal Family’s most down-to-earth member was reinforced today when fans got an early look at her and husband Sir Timothy Laurence’s beautiful Christmas card

T

‘It’s the wrong way round, and it’s ridiculously pretentious,’ Mr Fitzwilliams said.

He highlighted how the Duchess of Sussex, 44, was ‘pilloried’ after it was revealed by Harper’s Bazaar that she is announced like royalty even when entering a room with one person in it.

‘Anne needs no one to blow a trumpet for her,’ he continued. ‘The informal photograph of her and her husband in a delightfully bucolic setting sets the tone for the simple greetings from “Anne” and “Tim”.’

Mr Fitzwilliams also pointed out an interesting detail about the choice of photograph taken while the royal couple enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage ride during their visit to Sark.

‘What is fascinating about their relationship is that Tim Laurence is not fond of horses and says so,’ the royal commentator explained. ‘This is unusual in a family devoted to equestrian pursuits, but no barrier to their mutual affection!’

Princess Anne and Sir Tim’s love for each other certainly shone through in the photo, as royal fans praised the ‘beautiful card’ in gushing messages on social media.

‘Love this photo of them both,’ one person wrote.

Another said: ‘Love this! Thanks for sharing.’

+5
View gallery

Anne selected a lovely image of her and Sir Tim, 69, riding in a carriage during their landmark visit to Sark as the Channel Islands marked Liberation Day on May 10. Fans praised the Princess Royal when they noticed her simple sign-off

+5
View gallery

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams agreed, as he told the Daily Mail that the informal photograph of the couple sets the correct example for a royal Christmas card versus Meghan Markle’s continued use of her titles despite quitting the Firm. Pictured: A hamper from Meghan’s As Ever brand that was delivered to podcaster Jamie Kern Lima and included a note that said it was ‘With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex’

+5
View gallery

It comes after King Charles and Queen Camilla revealed their official Christmas card that included a touching tribute to their marriage

+5
View gallery

Princess Anne and Sir Tim, posing alongside Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeannett Young (centre left), and her husband Graeme Nimmo (far left), when they travelled to Australia in November to mark the Centenary of the Corps

A third comment read: ‘Wonderful to see our Governor of Queensland post the lovely Christmas card from the Princess Royal and Sir Tim.’

The photo was shared on the Governor’s official Facebook page and captioned: ‘The arrival of a special Christmas card from The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence has set a festive tone at Government House.’

Other snaps showed Princess Anne and Sir Tim, posing alongside Dr Jeannett Young and husband Graeme Nimmo, when they travelled to Australia in November to mark the Centenary of the Corps.

The Princess has served as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals since 1997, and her four-day visit celebrated 100 years of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.

On the final day of Anne’s tour, she travelled to Brisbane and laid a wreath at Gallipoli Barracks to commemorate Remembrance Day on November 11.

Reporting on Anne’s arrival in Brisbane, local media noted she ‘definitely doesn’t want the princess treatment’ while highlighting how she flew commercial and ‘carried her own luggage onto the tarmac’.

It comes after King Charles and Queen Camilla revealed their official Christmas card that included a touching tribute to their marriage.

The card features a photograph of the couple taken in the grounds of Villa Wolkonsky, the British Ambassador’s residence in Rome, during their Majesties’ State Visit to Italy in April 2025.

The heartfelt picture, which shows the King and Queen standing side by side with their arms intertwined, had been taken to commemorate their 20th wedding anniversary.

Inside, the card reads: ‘Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.’