Prince William and Kate Middleton release poignant Christmas card after the 'hardest year' as they pose with George, Charlotte and Louis at their beloved Norfolk retreat where Princess recovered from cancer
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The Prince and Princess of Wales released their Christmas card on social media today, featuring a photograph of the couple with their three children in Norfolk. The card was posted online at 2pm, three hours after it emerged the family would not attend today's traditional Royal Family pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace.
![[The Prince and Princess of Wales in the original image, part of a video issued on September 9]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/14/89457193-14210233-The_Prince_and_Princess_of_Wales_in_the_original_image_part_of_a-a-86_1734617489930.jpg)
Prince William and Kate are instead said to be looking forward to spending time with members of the Royal Family as usual at the Sandringham estate over Christmas. The card image shows William and Kate in Norfolk, where Anmer Hall became a safe haven for the Princess while she recovered from cancer treatment earlier this year.
![[Prince William, George, Charlotte, Louis and Kate during the 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 6, 2024 - the last time the family were seen]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/13/93309437-14210233-Prince_William_George_Charlotte_Louis_and_Kate_during_the_Togeth-a-63_1734616561700.jpg)
It is taken from the video released by Kate in September which confirmed she would return to public duties following the completion of her course of chemotherapy. The post on social media said: 'Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas' - with the words inside the card saying: 'Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.'.
MailOnline understands the Waleses are already in Norfolk with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis , and had always planned to be. It has also been made clear that William and Kate's absence was in no way linked to Prince Andrew pulling out of the lunch amid the ongoing Chinese 'spy' scandal.
The Prince and Princess of Wales released their Christmas card on social media today. The Prince and Princess of Wales in the original image, part of a video issued on September 9. The confirmation from the royal source was given just before 11am, at around exactly the same time that Charles was spotted arriving at Buckingham Palace for the lunch.
