New official photographs of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge revealed

A new set of official photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been taken.

A thank you card, sent to photographer Paul Ratcliffe, revealed a new image of the couple standing in, what appears to be, the grounds of Kensington Palace. The Duchess wears a cream jacket and matching pleated skirt. Ratcliffe received the royals’s thanks after he wished them well on their fifth wedding anniversary and Kensington Palace confirmed today that the photos were taken earlier this year.

The pair’s message said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were so touched that you took the trouble to write as you did on the occasion of their 5th Wedding Anniversary. It really was most thoughtful of you and Their Royal Highnesses send you their warmest thanks and best wishes.”

Royal photographer, Paul Ratcliffe, received the message of thanks from the Duke and Duchess after wishing them well on their fifth wedding anniversary

A separate solo portrait of the Duchess, from the same set, was sent alongside a message of support for the International Children’s Palliative Care Network, as their second annual conference began last week.

In her message, Catherine says: “When families are confronted with the shattering news that their child has a life-limited condition, their world can fall apart,” before thanking the organisation for its work. “I would like to thank the International Children’s Palliative Care Network membership for being the global advocate for children needing palliative care, and working to ensure that children and families across the world have a chance of accessing this vital lifeline,” says the Duchess.

The second image was sent by the Duchess alongside a message of support for ICPCN

The portraits were the work of Chris Jelf, the photographer who also captured the Cambridge’s Christmas photo last October. His image saw smiles all around as Prince William kept a watchful eye on Prince George, while the Duchess balanced Princess Charlotte on her knee.

The new photos come a day after William and Catherine joined The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at the final Garden Party of the season at Buckingham Palace. It was the Duchess’s fourth appearance at the event, having attended her first garden party in 2012, but marked the Prince William’s inaugural attendance and the first time the pair have attended together.

Stephen Connor, Executive Director, Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, shared this photo on Twitter of the Duchess’s message being read out at the ICPCN Conference

The couple were also joined by other members of the Royal family with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie both attending, alongside the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

Both William and Catherine laughed and smiled as they were guided through the crowds, stopping to chat to selected guests. Amongst those invited were members of the 23-strong medical team that helped deliver their two children and the pair chatted warmly with Professor Tiong Ghee Teoh, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, who explained that they were part of the large ‘back up’ team that were on call for three months before the birth in case extra help were needed.