Every December, William and Kate are among the royals to release a new family portrait with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, to send well wishes to the public.

However, this year’s offering has been shared prematurely on social media by royal fans.

The Christmas card shows the family sat on a bale of hay in front of a pile of chopped wood, all wearing their warmest winter jumpers.

Prince George, seven, can be seen sitting next to his father, while Princess Charlotte, five, is perched on her mother’s lap and the youngest of the family, Prince Louis, two, is pictured laughing as he nestles between both parents.

It is unclear when or where the photo was taken as it has not been officially released by Kensington Palace. However, the family have spent most of the pandemic at their Anmer Hall residence in Norfolk.

Hundreds of royal fans have left comments on social media praising the family for this year’s card.

“The Cambridges are killing it this year!,” one person wrote, while another added: “This is absolutely adorable. What a beautiful family.”

However, many others on Twitter have shared concerns that sharing the leaked photo will mean it does not get officially released by Kensington Palace.

“Guys, stop posting the Christmas card please, it was leaked last year and they didn’t post it. I get everyone’s excited and wants to share it etc, but pls let them post it when they’re ready to,” one person wrote.

Another commented: “So, I just saw the Christmas card it is gorgeous, but if you see it or have it, don't share it, please.”

Last year, a photo of the Cambridge’s annual card was leaked early after Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty posted shared it with her 11,000 followers.

The photo, which appeared to have been taken during the summer, showed the whole family posing on a vintage motorbike and sidecar and was later spotted among the photos on the Queen's desk during her Christmas 2019 broadcast at Windsor Castle.

In 2018, William and Kate shared an autumnal photo, taken by Matt Porteous, which showed the family-of-five posing on a tree log.

In 2017, before Louis was born, the family released a slightly more formal photograph that was taken in a studio and showed George and Charlotte standing in front of their parents.

The Independent has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.