Prince Edward and Sophie include sweet nod to Ukraine in newly released Christmas card

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have since followed in their family's footsteps.

They chose a poignant photo for the front image on their card, as it was taken on the same day King Charles bestowed the couple with their royal titles.

Previously, the Edinburghs were known as the Earl and Countess of Wessex, however, their son James now holds the Wessex Earldom.

In the Christmas card photo, Sophie looks beautiful in a blue Roksanda dress as a nod to the Ukrainian flag.

At the time the picture was taken, Edward and Sophie were meeting with Ukrainians at the City Chambers in Edinburgh to mark one year since the city's formal response to Russia's invasion.

The £1,500 garment, called the "Adele Maxi Dress," was in a rich shade of Aegean blue, and had a defined waistband, puffy sleeves and a floating train.

Sophie and Edward were bestowed their duke and duchess titles on March 10 this year, the same day as the prince's 59th birthday.

On the back cover of their Christmas card, the following caption can be seen: "If we could talk to the animals."

This is accompanied by a photograph of Prince Edward meeting a Clydesdale horse in Garvagh, Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, Sophie, 58, can be seen taking part in a puppy class at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Training Centre in Reading.

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The couple signed the back of the card with their ES monogram and a simple seasonal greeting: "Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Edward, Sophie, Louise and James."

Last week, William and Kate released their annual card with their family of five, including Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, wearing simple white shirts and jeans.

King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, also released a Christmas card photo, which was taken in the throne room of Buckingham Palace following the Coronation in May.

Meghan Markle, 42, and Prince Harry, 39, additionally released their Christmas card picture, which was an already-released snap from this year's Invictus Games.