Prince William and Kate went a little off piste with their latest family photoshoot, choosing to release a set of fun holiday snaps from the snowy French Alps. The Cambridges, who are usually pictured in the comfort of their home, gave the public a glimpse of their first winter break as a family-of-four.
The six new official portraits seem to have been inspired by other European royals, who often pose on the slopes.
Last month, both the Dutch and Belgian royal families headed to Switzerland for their annual skiing holidays, while the Danish royals and the Swedish royals are also avid ski enthusiasts.
© Photo: PAThe Cambridges are usually pictured at home
In February Queen Máxima and King Willem-Alexander took their three daughters Princess Catharina-Amalia, Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane to Lech, Austria. Lech is popular with the Dutch royals and is the same resort that William used to visit as a young boy with his brother Prince Harry and his parents Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.
Máxima and Willem-Alexander, who had just celebrated their fourteenth wedding anniversary, looked as happy as ever with their three girls. The family showed off their impressive skiing skills, navigating the slopes one after another, while finishing off their session with a fun photoshoot.
The three sisters posed sweetly for a few photos, before ten-year-old Alexia started an impromptu snowball fight, much to the amusement of her siblings.
© Photo: RexThe Dutch royal family enjoyed their annual skiing holiday in February
Just weeks before, Switzerland had played host to a royal family – King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, and their four children Princess Elisabeth, Prince Gabriel, Prince Emmanuel and seven-year-old Princess Eléonore.
The royal family appeared to be in their element as they were pictured skiing down the slopes in tandem, with King Philippe leading the pack. The group later posed outside their snow-laden chalet in Verbier, another popular resort with royals and celebrities.
© Photo: RexPrincess Mary and Prince Frederik of Denmark took their family to Verbier last year
Roughly this time last year, the Danish royals enjoyed a similar skiing holiday in Verbier. Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik brought their four children Prince Christian, Princess Isabella and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine to the resort.
Frederik's brother Prince Joachim, his wife Princess Marie and their children Prince Henrik and Princess Athena were also just an hour's drive away in Villars resort.
Princess Estelle of Sweden turned snow queen for her third birthday
With the picturesque background of a ski resort, it's easy to see why many royal families choose to release their official portraits from the snow.
Princess Estelle of Sweden had a particularly special third birthday last year, when she turned snow queen and showed off her skiing skills. The little Princess didn't seem to mind too much as she fell and giggled at the camera.
This year Estelle and her parents Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel didn't go on a skiing holiday, as the couple were preparing to welcome their second child Prince Oscar, who was born on Wednesday 2 March.
