Like everything that the royal family does, and in particular, everything that sisters-in-law Meghan and Kate do, their choice of images have been endlessly scrutinised in the media. Here, some appeared to say, is evidence of the vast oceans of difference between the two royal couples. Here, some commentators noted, is a clear sign that the two families are feuding.

And how did they divine all that, we hear you ask? Because one picture featured a smiling family while the other a couple at their wedding.

It’s simple, can’t you see? Kate and William’s card is “relaxed”, “sweet”, “adorable” and “traditional”, “smiles-all-round“, full of “beaming” children and “family frolics”. Meghan and Harry’s card, by contrast, is “glossy”, “modern”, “super-glam” and “artful”. One, people seemed to say, is the card of a wholesome family, the other of a star and her husband.

Never mind the fact that Meghan and Kate are two very different women with two very different lives. One is a mother of three, the other a newlywed expecting her first baby. Both achieved very different milestones in 2018. Both had different things to celebrate and share with those lucky enough to be on their Christmas card mailing list, and chose images to reflect that. Have we all forgotten that this is how the whole sending out Christmas card malarkey works? Two brothers, with two different families, will generally send out two separate Christmas cards.

Why must we insist on comparing the royal family’s Christmas cards?