The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released a new family portrait, which features on their Christmas card for this year.

The image, which was shot at Kensington Palace earlier this year by Getty photographer Chris Jackson, is a more formal image than many of those previously issued by the royals around the Christmas period – many of which were actually shot by the Duchess, a keen photographer herself.

It shows the family of four standing together, all wearing shades of blue. Prince George, four, poses in front of Prince William, and can be seen reaching up to hold his father’s hand; Charlotte, meanwhile, stands in front of her mother.

The Duchess has recycled a favourite outfit for the portrait sitting, choosing to wear a powder blue suit by one of her go-to designers, Catherine Walker.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge © Getty

Prince George, meanwhile, wears the same striped shirt by Amaia which he previously sported in his fourth birthday photo.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George and Princess Charlotte © Getty

Charlotte is dressed in the blue floral smock which she was photographed wearing for the family’s arrival in Germany this summer.

The Palace has also announced that Princess Charlotte to set to start attending the Willcocks Nursery School in London from January 2018.

“We are delighted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have chosen the Willcocks Nursery School for Princess Charlotte. We look forward to welcoming Charlotte to our nursery in January,” the nursery said in a statement.

The Willcocks Nursery is situated just a short distance from Kensington Palace. According to its website, it is ‘a traditional nursery school which strives to maintain its ethos for high standards, excellence and good manners,’ which accommodates 32 children aged between 2 and three quarters and five years of age.

Fees for one term costs £3,050 for ‘morning school,’ and an additional £1,800 for afternoon sessions.