Sophie Wessex Christmas card photo is here ahead of the festive celebrations

• Sophie Wessex has released her sweet family Christmas card as the latest addition to the Royal Family Christmas Cards 2020 (opens in new tab).
• The Earl and Countess of Wessex have posed together for a beloved snap - despite their plans being destroyed by Tier 4 restrictions.
• In other royal news (opens in new tab), Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall break tradition with their Christmas plans (opens in new tab)

Sophie Wessex has released an adorable Christmas card photograph despite the family's Christmas plans thrown into chaos with Tier 4 restrictions.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex, who live at their sprawling country home (opens in new tab) at Bagshot Park, are like many other families who are being forced to re-plan how they will spend the festive season, since the government plunged places into tighter lockdown restrictions.

The card following in the footsteps of Prince William's royal Christmas card (opens in new tab) and Duchess Camilla and Prince Charles's card creation (opens in new tab). 

The couple, who were recently pictured with Her Majesty the Queen for the first time since lockdown began in March, have released the festive card, which includes a happy picture of Prince Edward, 56, and Sophie, 55, sitting on a straw bale with beaming smiles on their faces. 

READ MORE: The sweet sign Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are holding out an olive branch to the royals this Christmas (opens in new tab)

The photo, taken during a visit to Vauxhall City Farm, Lambeth back in October was a memorable trip for the pair after Sophie was left amused having come face to face with alpacas.

The card, shared on Twitter by a recipient, is signed by the couple and their teenage children, Lady Louise Windsor, 17 and James, Viscount Severn, 13.

The snap follows the trend of the Cambridges Christmas card which has the natural rustic feel, of the royals sitting on straw bales.

READ MORE: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Christmas plans dashed - so how will they celebrate? (opens in new tab)

During the visit to the city farm, Sophie was introduced to Jerry the alpaca and talked to the animal while he waited to be fed.

The Countess, who wore an elegant cream coat, plum jumper and olive green trousers, said to the animal, "You've got a funny face. I suppose you must think I have a funny face too."

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to release their own official Christmas photo soon...