The Princess Royal and the vice admiral opted for a notably understated approach

Princess Anne did not use her royal title on the Christmas card she released with her husband, Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence.

The Princess Royal’s festive greetings for 2025 were unveiled after the Governor of Queensland’s office shared the card on social media on Tuesday.

Princess Anne and Sir Tim opted for a notably understated approach, signing the card with just their first names rather than any formal titles.

The photograph chosen for the interior captures the couple during their visit to Sark in the Channel Islands this past May, showing them travelling by horse-drawn carriage.

Princess Anne drops royal title from Christmas card with husband Sir Timothy | GETTY / INSTAGRAM: GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND

This simple “Anne and Tim” signature follows a pattern observed among senior members of the Royal Family.

The printed message inside the white card extended seasonal wishes for “a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year,” complemented by the handwritten addition from the royal couple.

Beneath the photograph, a simple caption reading “Sark 2025” identifies the location and date of the image.

The front flap of the card bears Princess Anne’s personal royal monogram, featuring a coronet positioned above the letter “A” and rendered in blue ink.

The card was simply signed ‘Anne and Tim’ | INSTAGRAM: GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND

The 75-year-old Princess Royal and Sir Tim, 70, were pictured enjoying their carriage journey through the self-governing Crown dependency, which lies between Guernsey and Jersey.

The card was sent to Government House in Queensland following Princess Anne and Sir Tim’s Australian tour last month, undertaken to commemorate the centenary of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, for which she serves as Colonel-in-Chief.

Princess Anne has earned a reputation as the most industrious member of the Royal Family, having recorded more official engagements in The Court Circular than any other working royal since 2021.

However, her decision to forgo formal titles on the Christmas card likely stems from practical considerations rather than her famously no-nonsense approach to royal duties.

Princess Anne’s coronet can be seen clearly on the card | INSTAGRAM: GOVERNOR OF QUEENSLAND

Princess Kate has previously spoken about being forbidden to sign autographs | GETTY

Senior royals reportedly refrain from providing autographs owing to concerns about potential forgery, a practice that extends to their festive correspondence.

The Princess of Wales addressed this protocol directly during the Chelsea Flower Show in 2022, explaining to children: “My name’s Catherine. I’m not allowed to write my signature, it’s just one of those rules.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales left their 2024 Christmas card unsigned entirely, whilst King Charles and Queen Camilla similarly omitted signatures from their festive message released last week.

When signing official communications, the King and Queen use their regnal signatures “Charles R” and “Camilla R” respectively.