The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have given the first glimpse into their Canadian break with a Christmas e-card taken by a friend who has spoken of the importance of their privacy.

The 2019 Christmas card, which was sent to friends and colleagues on Monday, includes a picture of the Duke and Duchess with their seven-month-old son Archie, dressed in a £65 jumper from British brand Boden, crawling towards the camera.

The image includes the message "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year", adding "from our family to yours".

It was released on Twitter by the Queen's Commonwealth Trust Twitter account, along with the caption: "Just sharing the sweetest Christmas Card from our President and Vice-President, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Very Merry Christmas, everyone!"

Published as a GIF on the social media account, meaning the festive tree decorations sparkled behind them, it is believed to be the first e-card sent by the Royal Family at Christmas, as the couple continue to be environmentally conscious.

The photo was reportedly taken by the Duchess' longtime friend Janina Gavankar, an American actress and musician, who attended the couple's Windsor Castle wedding in May 2018.

Gavankar, 39, currently appears in Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show alongside Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon which was shot in Los Angeles and Manhattan. She has also appeared in programmes such as The L Word, Arrow and The League and has voiced characters in video games.