New photograph and video reveal a relaxed royal family after a 'bumpy' year
2019 saw Prince Philip involved in a car accident, Prince Andrew embroiled in the Epstein scandal and criticism of the Sussexes.
Wednesday 25 December 2019 06:42, UK
A new photograph taken by the Duchess of Cambridge has been released on Christmas Day.
In Kate's new black and white family portrait, the Duke of Cambridge is pictured with their children, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George.
It is not the first time the Duchess has stepped behind the lens. 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.
Prince George shows off his baking skills features in a video released to mark four generations of the royal family supporting veterans and their families.
Prince George can be seen enthusiastically mixing Christmas pudding mixture in the footage, helped out by his father and grandfather Prince Charles, while great grandmother, the Queen seems amused by their antics.
The puddings were mixed for the Royal British Legion's Together at Christmas initiative, which aims to provide extra support to the Armed Forces community at annual festive "get-togethers" across the charity's network, both at home and abroad.
The footage will feature in the Queen's Christmas message in which she will refer to 2019 as a "bumpy" year - a reference that has been interpreted as a reflection on the Brexit deadlock and also dramas for her own family.
In 2019, Prince Philip was involved in a car accident in Norfolk, Prince Andrew gave up his royal duties because of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, and Prince Harry and Meghan were criticised for using private jets and taking legal action against the press.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and baby Archie will not be with the rest of the royals at Sandringham on Christmas Day. They are spending Christmas in Canada, as part of a six-week break.
However Prince Philip will be joining the rest of the family on the Queen's Norfolk estate. He left hospital on Christmas Eve after a four night stay after treatment for what was described as a "pre-existing condition".