Merry Christmas from the royal family! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a new family portrait this morning starring the proud parents and their children, Prince George, 2, and Princess Charlotte, 7 months.

The photo serves as the family's Christmas card and has all four posing on a green lawn that is covered in leaves. Prince William, 33, and his wife, Kate, also 33, are crouched down to their children's level as George smiles happily at the camera and Kate hold Charlotte. The photograph was taken by Chris Jelf in late October, according to People.

"I thoroughly enjoyed photographing a very lovely family, although you have to be sharp as you don't have long when there are two young children involved," said Jelf, a former soldier. "I hope everyone enjoys this photo and I am honored that the Duke and Duchess have decided to share it with the public."

The royal parents released the picture to say they "are hugely appreciative of all the warm messages they have received about their family this year and are very much looking forward to their first Christmas as a family of four," according to Us Weekly.

Come January, George will start to attend nursery school at the Westacre Montessori School Nursery, reported the BBC. The school is very close to the family's home at Anmer Hall and is off of a "private road, not a public one."

Check out the adorable family picture below!