Putting Kate and Wills to shame! Swedish royals share a VERY festive Christmas greeting - complete with snowball fights, sledging and games by the fire

  • Crown Princess Victoria, 40, and her family appear in festive video and portrait
  • Family seen frolicking in the snow, sledging and decorating tree at Haga Castle
  • Then retired inside for sweets and traditional games by the fire
  • Yesterday, Camrbridges released formal portrait taken earlier this year  

The annual battle of the royal Christmas cards is well underway and it looks as if the Swedish Crown Princess' family has trumped all the others when it comes to festive cheer. 

The royal court has released a new portrait of Crown Princess Victoria and her family complete with a video of the foursome enjoying activities such as sledging and snowball fights at Haga Castle. 

Their depiction dreamy Scandi Christmas couldn't be more different to the rather staid portrait released by the Duke of Duchess of Cambridge yesterday, showing the couple formally dressed with their children George and Charlotte.

In the Swedish royals' festive offering Crown Princess Victoria, 40, showed she's a good sport as she came off badly in a snowball attack by her husband Crown Prince Daniel and daughter Estelle, five. 

Her 19-month-old brother Oscar also got stuck in, helping his mother decorate a Christmas tree and delighting in sledging with his father.  

Crown Princess Victoria's very festive Christmas card shows the royal with her husband Prince Daniel and children Oscar and Estelle at Haga Castle

Crown Princess Victoria's very festive Christmas card shows the royal with her husband Prince Daniel and children Oscar and Estelle at Haga Castle

The family portrait of the Cambridges released yesterday was delightful, but not very festive 

The family portrait of the Cambridges released yesterday was delightful, but not very festive 

Make like Kate in icy blue hues this season

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have released a family photo that features on their 2017 Christmas card and isn't it the cutest?

Naturally, Charlotte and George steal the show, but it's Kate's clothes we're coveting.

Her very smart pencil skirt and matching jacket is a look we've seen before during her solo tour of the Netherlands. It's by Catherine Walker, and we love the wintry pale blue hue. The belted waist and peplum hem are super flattering and we love the retro buttons and collar.

The Chelsea-based designer's pieces were famously worn by Princess Diana, plus Kate and her mother Carole Middleton regularly turn to the label when dressing for big occasions. This custom made outfit isn't available to buy, but click (right) to browse the website.

Or redefine royal blue by shopping the options in our edit below and choose from blazers by Mango, Apiece Apart and more.

* PRICES MAY NOT BE AS ADVERTISED
Delighted Prince Oscar, 19 months, enjoying an afternoon sledging with his father Crown Prince Daniel 

Delighted Prince Oscar, 19 months, enjoying an afternoon sledging with his father Crown Prince Daniel 

In the Christmas spirit: Crown Princess Victoria and her daughter decorate a small Christmas tree at Haga Palace 

In the Christmas spirit: Crown Princess Victoria and her daughter decorate a small Christmas tree at Haga Palace 

The outdoorsy family were all wrapped up against the cold in the footage with Daniel, Estelle and Oscar sporting matching navy puffer jackets while Victoria bundled up in a grey coat and purple wool headband. 

After enjoying their frolics in the snow, the family retired inside for quality time by the fireside. 

Princess Estelle played hostess, placing sweet treats in a wooden basket for everyone to enjoy as they played games together by the Christmas tree. 

The youngster looked adorable in a grey woolen dress, wearing her hair in pigtails, while her little brother sported a cut Christmas jumper. 

CAMBRIDGE ROYAL CHRISTMAS 

  • Skirt suit for Kate, lounge suit for William
  • Children wearing smart clothing
  • Posing against a white backdrop 
  • Picture taken months earlier 

SWEDISH ROYAL CHRISTMAS

  • Grey winter coat for Victoria, navy puffer jacket for Prince Daniel
  • Children in winter casual wear 
  • Posing in the snow
  • Picture taken near Christmas 
Five-year-old Estelle played hostess by stocking up a basket with sweet treats for the family 

Five-year-old Estelle played hostess by stocking up a basket with sweet treats for the family 

After a fun filled afternoon sledging and snowballing the family retired inside to enjoy games by the fire 

After a fun filled afternoon sledging and snowballing the family retired inside to enjoy games by the fire 

Crown Princess Victoria showed she's a good sport as she indulged in a snowball fight with Prince Daniel and Princess Estelle 

Crown Princess Victoria showed she's a good sport as she indulged in a snowball fight with Prince Daniel and Princess Estelle 

By contrast, Kate and Williams' Christmas card released yesterday shows the family against a plain white backdrop, as if in a studio setting, although the photographs were actually taken at Kensington Palace standing in front of a portable photographer’s backdrop.

They plumped for a more formal – almost Victorian - pose for their annual offering this year, which was certainly not taken close to Christmas as the Duchess has long hair and is clearly not pregnant in the photo. 

William is in a lounge suit and blue tie, with his hands resting on his son’s shoulders.

Lively little George, has his left foot lifted, as if itching to get away, although he is also clasping his daddy’s finger.

Additionally there was no accompanying video showing the family indulging in festive cheer in the countryside.  

The sporty family enjoyed an afternoon outdoors in the snow with former presonal trainer Prince Daniel easily jogging up the hill pulling his son on a sledge

The sporty family enjoyed an afternoon outdoors in the snow with former presonal trainer Prince Daniel easily jogging up the hill pulling his son on a sledge

Sleigh bells jingling! The family couldn't hide their light as they shot down the hill on sledges 

Sleigh bells jingling! The family couldn't hide their light as they shot down the hill on sledges 

19-month-old Prince Oscar and his mother put bows on the Christmas tree with the help of Princess Estelle 

19-month-old Prince Oscar and his mother put bows on the Christmas tree with the help of Princess Estelle 


 

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