Prince William and Kate pose with George, Charlotte and Louis for Christmas card

Prince William and Kate Middleton have released their annual Christmas card, and the “magnificent” photo has been applauded by fans.

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been applauded for their “magnificent” show of unity in their 2022 Christmas card.

The newly-minted Prince and Princess of Wales released their annual festive shot on Wednesday - a low-key family photo showing the couple holding hands with their three children Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7 and Prince Louis, 4, in the British countryside.

The sunny snap was taken earlier this year in Norfolk, with the family-of-five colour co-ordinating in white, denim and blue.

After news.com.au posted the photo on Facebook, hundreds of users flooded the comments section praising William and Kate, both 40, for remaining “dignified” and “refined” despite Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s repeated criticisms of the royal family.

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Prince and Princess of Wales with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Picture: Matt Porteous/Kensington Palace/AFP

After the first three episodes of the Sussexes tell-all documentary dropped on Netflix last week, and with a trailer for Thursday’s new episodes revealing Harry says the palace “lied to protect my brother”, fans couldn’t help but point out the juxtaposition between the two families.

“Forward ever, no drama, theyre the royal family,” one person wrote on the Wales’ photo.

“Getting on with business as usual. I have great admiration for them,” another added.

“Just trying to live some normality in their lives without all the humbugging media… doing a great job of it, nothing like the other pair, say one thing than create their own limelight and blame their Royal heritage,” a third said.

Another wrote, “Epitomy of love and class right there.”

The picture was taken by photographer Matt Porteous, who also joined the couple on their tour to the Caribbean.

The King and Queen Consort also shared their Christmas card on Sunday which showed the smiling pair at the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering in September.

King Charles III and the Queen Consort’s 2022 Christmas card. Picture: Jonathan Brady/AFP

But this has sparked controversy as some have pointed out that his children and grandchildren are missing from the photo.

Some have speculated the absence of Prince William and the Duke of Sussex is down to their ongoing rift.

Adam Helliker, one of the three royal experts who shared their thoughts with The Sun Online, said: “It symbolises a sense of continuity [and] solidness with the just the two of them standing together and ignores squabbling children and grandchildren.

“I mean, who would be on it with him? Prince William and Kate with Harry and Meghan? It would have been too much pressure; it would have looked really forced and awkward.

“It’s symbolising a sense of stability and a rosy future.”

-with The Sun

Originally published as Prince William and Kate pose with George, Charlotte and Louis for Christmas card