For my studies in costume history I have a huge collection of antique and vintage photos going back to the early 19th century. Sitters were "staged" (as some posters have commented) to look as though they were in a palm house, palace, garden and so on. It reminds me of those Victorian and Edwardian family groups of which my grandmother had some examples.
Far too much dead space around the group with nothing of particular interest in it. Even their clothes are not very interesting. It leaves me with a feeling of "so what?".
I like the photo, I think they are a good looking family, and they look relaxed. I'm not sure of all the negative space around them; I would have cropped in a bit closer. But is is Christmas card material? No, I don't think so. If it were in colour and in a home setting it would have been more on target.
I think Prince Louis looks an awful lot like his great uncle, who shall not be named.
It reminds me of one of those pictures which amateur sellers put on Ebay. They took the shot on their phone and didnt bother to even crop it let alone edit it in any way. A tiny little item on a dark uninspiring background. Then they wonder why no one buys it.
I had to come back and have a closer look. Jeremy Vine this morning commented that it had been over airbrushed. Louis seemed to have lost a finger and Kate only has one leg. It's true!!!
Like any other family who were posed in a studio. The royals don't seem to send Christmas pictures Charles and Camillas shows them in their Coronation robes.
The only Christmas card I've ever liked by anyone in 'power' was Jeremy Corbyn's. A bicycle in the snow by an old fashioned telephone box. All the others by Royals and politicians have been awful.
I think they are fed up with everything they are wearing in photos being disected and discussed; where it is from, what it cost etc. Also a photo in their home would create discussion about their taste, spending etc. I would hate it, and so might they. White shirts and jeans against a plain backdrop. Good for them.