This year, the Spanish royal family once again delighted fans with their traditional Christmas card. For this year’s greeting, they chose a photograph taken in the village of Valdesoto in Asturias. The photo shows King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia posing with their daughters—Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía—against a picturesque rural backdrop. The location was not chosen at random: it was here that the Premio al Pueblo Ejemplar de Asturias was recently awarded, and the family wanted to highlight the importance of small communities and their traditions.
Inside the card, a simple wish reads: “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026” in both Spanish and English. The text is set in the Ibarra Real font, created in the 18th century and famously used in a Royal Academy edition of Don Quixote. The press release notes that this choice underscores respect for Spain’s cultural heritage. Next to the greeting are the signatures of all four family members and a handwritten phrase: “With all our love and best wishes.”
A family tradition
The photo was taken in October, when Princess Leonor presented an award to the residents of Valdesoto, with her family supporting her at the ceremony. It was one of the few times all four appeared together during the year: Sofía began her studies in Lisbon in the fall, majoring in Political Science and International Relations, while Leonor continues her military training. Valdesoto is a small community with a population of about 1,800, where people work in agriculture, industry, and services. Princess Leonor noted that the villagers have managed to pass on the best Asturian values and spirit to the younger generation.
In the royal family’s greeting, they emphasize the importance of small towns and villages, and their contribution to preserving traditions and nature. The choice of this location and theme for the card was a symbolic recognition of rural residents’ merits and a reminder of the value of one’s roots.
Postcard with dogs
That same day, the former monarchs—Juan Carlos I and Sofía—unveiled their own Christmas card. This time, the stars of the photo were their five dogs: two black Cocker Spaniels, two white Miniature Schnauzers, and a small Pikapoo. All the pets pose in front of a decorated Christmas tree, and the card reads: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” with the handwritten date 2026 and the former royals’ signatures nearby.
After Juan Carlos I moved to Abu Dhabi in the summer of 2020, his dogs stayed in Spain with Sofía. In November, ¡Hola! magazine reported that, in exile, the former monarch is accompanied by a silent parrot with a bright crest that, when fluffing its feathers, looks like the Spanish flag. But on this year’s Christmas card, only the dogs that remained in Spain are pictured.
Festive Messages
Since Felipe VI ascended the throne in 2014, the palace has annually released two Christmas cards: one from the reigning monarchs, and another from their parents. This year, the royal family again chose a family portrait, with everyone smiling and looking at the camera. Last year’s card commemorated the tenth anniversary of Felipe VI’s reign and honored the memory of the devastating flooding (dana).
The Christmas greetings of the Spanish monarchs always draw public interest. Every year they spark discussions not only in Spain, but also abroad. This time, attention was drawn not only to the choice of setting and design, but also to the unusual stars of the former monarchs’ card—their beloved dogs.
