Meghan and Harry and Kate and William reveal their Christmas card photos

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry and Kate Middleton and Prince William have revealed strikingly different Christmas card photos for 2018.

The new black-and-white picture of Meghan and Harry – who are due to welcome their first child next spring – is the first photo to be made public from their private wedding reception in May.

The intimate snap shows the couple putting their arms around each other’s waists and holding hands with their backs to the camera as an enormous fireworks display erupts over a lake at Frogmore House – the grounds of their future home in Windsor.

The adorable autumnal portrait of the Cambridges shows the relaxed and beaming family sat on a tree trunk in a wooded area at Anmer Hall, their country house in Norfolk.

It is the family’s first Christmas card to feature baby Prince Louis, who was born last April and is now almost eight months old – and some royal fans say he "stole the show".

Kate, wearing a jumper and blue jeans, cradles smiling Louis – dressed in a light blue top and dark blue shorts, tights and shoes – in her arms as she rests against the tree trunk and Princess Charlotte, three, balances with her arms around her parents.

Prince William, second-in-line to the throne, is sat on the log next to Kate, with his top button undone and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Five-year-old Prince George, wearing Hunter wellies, blue trousers and a green jumper, grins and playfully stands on one leg with his hands on his dad’s shoulders.

The photos were revealed by Kensington Palace on Friday amid claims that there is a growing rift between Meghan and Kate.

The picture of Meghan, 37, and Harry, 34, was taken during their wedding reception at Frogmore House on the night of May 19.

It was taken by professional fashion and portrait photographer Chris Allerton, who previously served in the British Army.

Kensington Palace tweeted: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are delighted to share a new photograph from their Wedding Reception at Frogmore House on 19th May. The photograph, which features on Their Royal Highnesses’ Christmas card, was taken by photographer Chris Allerton."

Some royal fans, however, have expressed disappointment that the image was not in colour.

But Judi James, a body language expert, told Mirror Online that the "super-glam" Christmas card is more about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s "romantic life as an A-list power couple".

The photo of the Cambridges was taken by Matt Porteous earlier this year.

Kensington Palace tweeted: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pleased to share a new photograph of their family. The photograph, taken by Matt Porteous, shows The Duke and Duchess with their three children at Anmer Hall, and features on Their Royal Highnesses’ Christmas card this year."

Jersey-based professional photographer and filmmaker Mr Porteous has worked with the family on a number of occasions. He snapped portraits of George that were released on the future king’s third birthday.

Mr Porteous wrote on his Instagram page of the Cambridge’s Christmas card photo: “It was an honour to be asked to photograph The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family at Anmer Hall. Capturing the fun and relaxed moments between such a wonderful family was a true privilege.”

Prince Charles, 70, and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, 71, also released a Christmas card photo on Friday.

It shows the couple – Charles in a blue Anderson and Sheppard suit and Camilla in a cream and crepe dress by Fiona Clare – gazing at each other while they are sat on a wooden bench.

The message in the card reads: "Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year."

The photograph was taken by London-based Hugo Burnand in the garden of Clarence House, their home in central London, this summer.

Professional photographer Mr Burnand is used to working with members of the royal family as he took the wedding pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s nuptials in 2011 and Charles and Camilla’s big day in 2005.

Charles also asked the photographer to take the birthday image which marked his 60th year in 2008, and he has taken a portrait picture of the duchess.

It’s become an annual tradition for royal families or couples to reveal the photos they have chosen to feature on their Christmas cards.

The royals are due to spend Christmas together as per tradition at the 92-year-old Queen’s Sandringham residence.

Meghan and Harry are set to celebrate their first Christmas as a married couple – and their last without children, as former Suits actress Meghan is due to give birth to their first baby next spring.

They are set to move out of their cottage on the palace’s grounds early next year for a quieter and more secluded home in the grounds of Frogmore House in Windsor.

Initially, it was believed they would move into an apartment next to Will and Kate, both aged 36, in Kensington Palace in west London.

This week, it was revealed that Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will have to curtsy to Kate when the Duchess of Cambridge becomes Queen.

Last year, Kate and William released a picture showing the proud parents standing with George and Charlotte, just months before Louis’ birth.

The happy family were all wearing baby blue with beaming smiles on their faces.

The 2017 photo was taken indoors at Kensington Palace by Chris Jackson, Getty Images’ royal photographer.

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