Prince William is pictured kissing Prince Louis in adorable new photograph

A new photograph taken by the Duchess of Cambridge has been released on Christmas Day.

The black and white photo shows the Duke of Cambridge kissing their youngest child Prince Louis on the cheek, while Princess Charlotte and Prince George look towards the camera.

The duke wears a flat cap as he holds on closely to his son in the photo, which was taken by the duchess, a keen photographer, earlier this year in Norfolk.

Princess Charlotte also appears to be holding on to her younger brother as she stands behind him, while Prince George sits next to them in a chair as he cheekily smirks at the camera.

The Kensington Palace official Twitter account sent out the photo on Christmas Day

This is not the first time Kate, one of the world’s most photographed people, has gone behind the lens and released her own pictures.

The duchess was named as the new patron of the Royal Photographic Society earlier this year following her flourishing passion in photography.

A history of art graduate, the duchess has previously been praised for her photographic portraits of her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Kensington Palace has often published photos taken by Kate to mark milestones in her children’s lives, such as birthdays and first days at nursery.

The duchess began the tradition in 2015 when she took the first official portraits of Princess Charlotte, rather than hiring a photographer.

It comes just a day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s own Christmas card, with son Archie, was revealed.

The enchanting family photo showed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex laughing as they pose in front of a Christmas tree, with Archie’s cute face popping up in the foreground of the image.

The festive black and white card was shared on social media by the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust on Monday night and says: ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family to yours.’

The enchanting family photo shows the Duke and Duchess of Sussex laughing as they pose in front of a Christmas tree, with Archie’s cute face popping up in the foreground of the image

 

At the bottom is says ‘this year we have chosen to send our holiday card electronically.’

It is understood that copies of the image, taken by the couple’s friend Janina Gavankar, were emailed to friends and staff on Monday and hard copies sent to family.

It comes after the royal couple, who have been outspoken on environmental issues, were accused of hypocrisy for their high carbon footprint, after taking a number of private jets in the past year.

In a tweet on Monday evening the Trust said: ‘Just sharing the sweetest Christmas Card from our President and Vice-President, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Very Merry Christmas, everyone!’

A source told the Mirror: “Harry and Meghan sent a selection of hard copy cards to family but chose to send their cards electronically this year with the aim of being environmentally conscious as well as being in Canada where they are currently enjoying a six week break away from royal duties.” 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex took Archie away for an extended break last month in Canada, and have been keeping a low profile ever since.

The duchess, a former actress, lived and worked in Toronto during her time starring in the popular US drama Suits, and the couple were famously pictured together when Meghan joined her then-boyfriend Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games in the Canadian city.

The Sussexes are likely to have spent the US Thanksgiving celebrations, which this year fell on November 28, with the duchess’ mother Gloria Ragland.

The couple have missed the Queen’s pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace.

And they will not be present for the traditional royal family gathering at the monarch’s private Sandringham estate on Christmas Day.