Kate and William wish the world a Merry Christmas with a new photo of Louis, Charlotte and George

The Prince and Princess of Wales have wished the world a Merry Christmas with the release of a new photo of Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George.

The new image, shot in black and white, shows the three Wales children grinning eagerly at the camera, with Princess Charlotte in the center with her arms around her brothers.

Posting the message on social media, the royal couple wrote: “Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!”

The photo was taken by photographer Josh Shinner.

Princess Charlotte sits in the center on a wooden bench, wearing jeans and a white blouse with her blonde hair down. Her wide smile is matched by her arms, wrapped around the shoulders of her younger siblings.

It comes after the family attended Kate’s Christmas Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey, which was broadcast last night

Meanwhile, Prince Louis, in shorts and a white shirt, sits on the left, with one leg in the air, his head turned toward his sister.

Prince George also smiles broadly at the camera, matching his sister in jeans and a white shirt.

The photo shows a more candid side of the three royal children, with all three looking relaxed and excited to celebrate this year with their families.

The photo was taken by Yorkshire-born Josh Shinner, who photographed the children with William and Kate for their family’s Christmas card this year.

Shinner’s previous sitters include actresses Florence Pugh and Jodie Comer, and singer Sam Smith.

The new portrait came just hours after the family was spotted at Princess Kate’s Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.

During the Together at Christmas concert, which focused on her early years campaign, Prince Louis stole the show with heartwarming antics, including signature goofy faces and blowing out his sister’s candle.

The Wales family will join the King and Queen to celebrate Christmas Day with other members of the Royal Family at Sandringham.

Prince William and Princess Catherine, along with their three children, will spend Christmas with family at Sandringham

Princess Charlotte and Prince George look seriously at each other during the Christmas carol concert, in contrast to their wide grins in today’s photo

Traditional royal festivities will once again take place at Norfolk’s private estate.

Charles and Camilla are expected to be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis for the morning service at St Mary Magdalene Church.

The King and Queen, along with the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, waved to well-wishers as they attended a Christmas Eve service at the church on Sunday.

Royal Christmas holidays traditionally include greeting people outside the church, and a family lunch with turkey and all the trimmings.

Sandringham House has been the private home of four generations of British monarchs for more than 160 years and is now owned by the King.

The new portrait came just hours after the family was spotted at Princess Kate’s Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey

Prince Louis stole the show at the Christmas carol concert, broadcast on Christmas Eve, before a new photo of him and his siblings was released this morning

The photo shows a more candid side of the royal children, who were on their best behavior during the concert

The photo was released by William and Kate to mark this year’s Christmas celebrations

King Charles will deliver his Christmas message to the nation on Christmas Day at 3pm

Charles’ second Christmas message as monarch will be broadcast at 3pm and this year it was recorded in the Center Room at Buckingham Palace, which gives access to the royal residence’s iconic balcony.

The room is decorated with a living Christmas tree that will be replanted after the broadcast.

Natural and sustainable decorations hang from the branches, including hand-turned wood, dried oranges, glass baubles, pine cones and paper.

Charles, like Queen Elizabeth II, writes his Christmas broadcasts and last year he followed his mother’s established model, a personal reflection on the year, touching on current issues and from a Christian framework.

Later today, the King will deliver his second annual King’s Speech, with attention to the environment.

It marks a turn away from the typically apolitical speeches of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth.