Kate photographs William, George, Charlotte and Louis for Christmas card

William and Kate’s family Christmas card shows William with their children George, Charlotte and Louis.

Prince William with his children George, Charlotte and Louis. Picture: Twitter.

Prince William and his wife Kate have released their family Christmas card, a black and white photograph of the Duke of Cambridge with their children George, Charlotte and Louis.

The picture, taken by Kate earlier this year, shows William kissing Louis while Charlotte rests her hands on her baby brother’s shoulders while George looks on.

The card was released on Twitter by Kensington Palace a day after Prince Harry and Meghan released their card, showing Archie in the forefront as his parents relaxed beside a Christmas tree.

🎄 Merry Christmas to all our followers!

This photograph of The Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis was taken by The Duchess of Cambridge in Norfolk earlier this year. pic.twitter.com/40j3Xg36Q4

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) December 25, 2019

The royal family – minus Harry and Meghan who are on a six week holiday in Canada – have gathered at Sandringham in Norfolk for their traditional Christmas gathering.

The Duke of Edinburgh left hospital on Christmas Eve in time to spend Christmas with the Queen after spending four nights there as “a precautionary measure”. Prince Philip was in the King Edward VII’s Hospital in central London for treatment relating to a “pre-existing condition”.

Prince Philip leaves the King Edward VII hospital. Picture: AFP.

He left at 8.49am (7.49pm AEDT) on Christmas Eve, got into a car in a secluded street behind the hospital and was seen sitting in the front passenger seat. Philip waved at a nurse as he was escorted to the car but did not respond to photographers as he was driven away from the private hospital. Multiple police stood guard around the hospital, as well as royal protection officers.

“His Royal Highness would like to thank everyone who sent their good wishes,” Buckingham Palace said.

It is thought the Duke travelled to Sandringham to spend Christmas with the Queen.

Philip has been cared for at the central London hospital since his planned admission on Friday.

Police officers outside the main entrance of King Edward VII Hospital, where Prince Philip was treated. Picture: AP

His admittance to the private hospital, which has been treating members of the royal family for decades, was described as a “precautionary measure” by Buckingham Palace.

Asked about the 98-year-old’s health, his eldest son the Prince of Wales told reporters on Monday: “He’s being looked after very well in hospital. At the moment that’s all we know.” During the visit to flood-hit communities in South Yorkshire, Charles added: “When you get to that age things don’t work so well.”

The Duke, who turned 98 in June, has generally enjoyed good health, appearing to recover well from a planned hip replacement operation in April 2018. According to reports, his admission follows a spell of ill health – the Sun quoted a royal source saying the Duke had a fall recently, while the Mail reported he had been battling a flu-like condition.

Philip escaped with minor injuries after a dramatic car crash near Sandringham in January, but in the past decade has been admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery, bladder infections and a blocked coronary artery.

Philip is known for his “no fuss” approach and is unlikely to have received many visitors while he was being treated at the hospital.

Buckingham Palace would not go into details about Philip’s pre-existing condition, or the nature of his treatment.

Philip’s decision to retire from public duties during 2017 was not health- related, Buckingham Palace said at the time of the announcement.

AAP