Prince William and Kate Middleton share a sweet picture of their children

Prince William and Kate Middleton have sent a thoughtful thank you card to royal well-wishers who wrote to them at Christmas.

The Prince, 40, and Princess of Wales, 41, sent a snap and a thank you note to the well-wisher, who had sent them a Christmas card last December. 

In the picture, which was shared on Instagram, the beaming parents can be seen walking behind their three children, Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven and Prince Louis, four, on Christmas Day in Sandringham. 

The accompanying note wished the royal fan a happy new year and thanked them for their thoughts.

The same fan revealed in January that they had received another note from Queen Consort Camilla, 74. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales sent a snap of their family in Sandringham on Christmas Day and a thank you note to a well-wisher, who had sent them a card last December

The note from the Prince and Princess of Wales read: ‘Thank you for your thoughtful Christmas message to The Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

‘Their Royal Highnesses are very grateful and send you their best wishes for a very Happy New Year,’ it went on. 

In the picture, the three Wales children could be seen leading the way as members of the royal family met well-wishers after the Christmas Day Christmas Service at St Mary Magdalene Church, on the Norfolk estate. 

The day marked Little Louis’s first Christmas service walkabout, as he cheekily guided the Princess of Wales through the crowd and waved at the cameras, while his older siblings smiled politely. 

The small royals’ parents were smiling contently as they walked behind their children. 

The Princess looked sensational in a longline military-style coat by Alexander McQueen in green, which she paired with a feathered hat from her favourite designer Philip Treacy.

Finishing off her festive look, Kate also wore a pair of £100 gold earrings from French brand Sézane.

According to The Sun, the statement pieces of jewellery were a Christmas present from Prince William. 

The card came with a note from Prince William and Kate Middleton, thanking the fan for their kind wishes

The card came with a note from Prince William and Kate Middleton, thanking the fan for their kind wishes

The royal fan said the response from the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family was a 'lovely surprise'

The royal fan said the response from the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family was a ‘lovely surprise’  

The high street earrings – which sold out online instantly – are made from recycled brass.

After the fan shared the letter on Instagram, other royal well-wishers were touched by the Wales’ attention. 

‘Congratulations! An unexpected picture but great nonetheless,’ one said.

‘Absolutely magnificent,’ another gushed. 

Other royal well-wishers were touched by the sweet attention, with one saying it was 'absolutely magnificent'

Other royal well-wishers were touched by the sweet attention, with one saying it was ‘absolutely magnificent’ 

The same royal fan was delighted to receive a note and a picture from the Queen Consort in January. 

They had also sent her well-wishes for Christmas, and it appears her reply arrived right away. 

‘Received the most loveliest of surprises today, a personalised thank you card for my Christmas wishes from the Queen Consort,’ they wrote at the time. 

The same fan received a picture and a signed note from the Queen Consort wishing her a happy New Year back in January

The same fan received a picture and a signed note from the Queen Consort wishing her a happy New Year back in January 

The letter of thanks was signed by Camilla, 75, and included a picture of the King’s wife enjoying a brew in a garden. 

‘So many thanks for your kind Christmas message, which was greatly appreciated,’ it read. 

‘This comes with my warmest wishes for a healthy and happy New Year,’ it concluded.