The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge release family Christmas card

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released their first Christmas card as a family of four.

For those of us not lucky enough to be on the Royal Christmas card list, here is a glimpse of the 'royal' mail.

The adorable family picture has been released by Kensington Palace, and shows the young family posing outside, perhaps at their Norfolk home, Amner Hall.

It looks as if the picture was taken in the autumn and features both children, Charlotte and George, as well as a toy train.

George is wearing a blue outfit to match William and Charlotte is in another floral print dress, similar to the Liberty London dress featured in the intimate photos taken by Kate in November.

Recipients of the Christmas card will include organizations associated with the couple, such as charities that they are patrons of and other royal dignitaries.

The message released on the Kensington Royal Twitter page said; 'A new family photo - Merry Christmas from The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.'

Charles and Camilla have also released their annual Christmas card but unlike son William and daughter-in-law Kate, it features a private photo that wasn't taken specifically for the card.

Image courtesy of PA

The happy photograph of Charles and Camilla was reportedly only taken as a personal memento by a friend on holiday.

The photograph was snapped on a private estate in Scotland during the families' annual summer break - although the weather doesn't look too tropical.

The couple are posing arm in arm and both beaming for the camera with the heir to the throne dressed smartly in a shirt and tie, with his wife Camilla in more casual wear including an outdoor jacket and scarf.

A source told the Daily Mail; 'It's a lovely choice of picture and very much sums up what their royal highnesses are like away from the public eye.'

The photograph is inside a festive card with the message; 'Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.'

A Clarence House spokesman said; 'As is customary at this time of year, Clarence House is releasing for media use the image chosen by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall for their Christmas card.'

It also features the Prince of Wales' Feathers and The Duchess of Cornwall's cipher.