One detail in William and Kate's Christmas card tells you everything about their 'brutal' year.

After much anticipation, Prince William and Kate Middleton have finally released their royal Christmas Card for 2024.

And in a detail that is sure to make 'King of sustainability' Charles proud, the image is actually recycled.

Yep, the royals chose a still from their video message earlier in the year, which marked the end of Kate's chemotherapy treatment.

The image features the Prince and Princess of Wales with their three children — Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.

In the shot, Kate embraces her two eldest children, while Will beams with their youngest, Louis.

"Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year," the card read.

Kate and Wills Christmas Card for 2024. Image: Kensington Palace.

And truly, we understand the decision to do a re-run.

After the year they've had, getting all dressed up just to snap a new photo was — no doubt — the least of the family's worries. And it's not like they were going to Photoshop it.

Royal observers agreed, taking to social media to share their support for the family.

"Perfect Christmas card for everyone who watched the video. Have a blessed and healthy celebration," one wrote.

"I hope the joy of Princess Catherine's recovery makes this the most special one yet," penned another.

But there's no denying this Christmas card is out of the ordinary.

Not only is the snap not purpose-built, it also came out much later than usual.

Typically, annual royal Christmas cards are released in early-to-mid-December. This year's delay caused much speculation amongst royalists about whether it was coming at all.

The experts largely put the delay down to Kate's health, to which we say, fair enough.

Some suggested they might skip the card all together this year, like they nearly did in 2019 before it was leaked to the public on December 18 (following a particularly difficult year with unsubstantiated rumours in the tabloids).

The Christmas card was leaked on Twitter. Image: Twitter/Dawn McCafferty CBE RAFR/

It's safe to say that 2024, between both Kate and Charles' cancer diagnoses and Queen Camilla's pneumonia, has been one of the toughest years yet.

Even 'never complain, never explain' Prince William described this year as "dreadful" during a visit to Cape Town in November.

"It's probably been the hardest year in my life," he told reporters. "So, trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult."

He went on to say he was "so proud" of his wife and father for how they have handled things.

"But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal," he added.

Two months earlier, along with their children, Prince William and Princess Catherine released a video message to mark the end of Kate's chemotherapy treatment.

"The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family," wrote the Princess of Wales. "Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown."

She called her cancer journey "complex, scary and unpredictable".

"With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything.

"This time has above all reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life, which so many of us often take for granted. Of simply loving and being loved."

While the mother-of-three was happy to have finished her treatment, she acknowledged her journey was far from over.

"Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes."

After undergoing abdominal surgery in January, Kate announced her cancer diagnosis on March 22, 2024, through a video message.

In the announcement, she revealed that cancer was a "huge shock" and was discovered through post-operative tests following her January surgery.

Watch Princess Catherine give an update on her health. Post continues after video.

To end the difficult year, Wills and Kate will be catching up with the extended royal family to feast on turkey and all the seasonal trimmings.

"We'll be in Norfolk, at Sandringham," Prince William revealed during a recent outing. "We'll be 45 for Christmas. It won't be quiet, it will be noisy."

When asked if he was prepared for this holiday, he meekly replied, "Am I ready for Christmas? No, no way am I ready."

We feel you Wills.

Feature Image: Kensington Palace.