The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared a rare picture of their two children as part of a series of images for their official Christmas card.

Meghan and Harry are shown in the outdoors about to hug Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet as their son and daughter run into their arms.

The couple have rarely exposed their children to the limelight and in the image their faces are not shown as Lilibet, three, approaches her father while five-year-old Archie sprints to his mother.

It appears the couple, who stepped down as working royals and moved to California in 2020, may be in a park as their three dogs are in the picture.

Six images are featured with the card, sent by email, which has the message: “On behalf of the office of Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Archewell Productions and Archewell Foundation, we wish you a very happy holiday season and a joyful New Year.”

The card is intended for professional use by the couple and their team, with the Sussexes sending a separate card to their close family and friends which will remain private.

The images are thought to reflect the couple’s year, with one picture showing Meghan embracing a young girl while in another Harry puts his arm around his wife.

Another picture shows the couple laughing while sitting in a row of people, the fifth is at an outdoor event with the Sussexes wearing sunglasses and smiling, and in the final picture the duke clasps hands with a man lying in a bed.