The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have showed off new pictures of their trip to Japan in this year's Christmas card. 

Prince Edward and his wife Sophie unveiled two unseen snaps from their five day tour of the country in September. 

One showed the prince - donning a wide brimmed hat, polo shirt and two walking sticks - crossing a rickety wooden bridge during a hike.

The picture next to it shows a pensive Sophie looking out at the scenery as she poses in front of a huge snow covered mountain.

Poking fun at the couple, the caption below reads: 'Sophie taking the high road and Edward taking the slightly wobbly one!'

A third picture inside the card showed Edward and Sophie smiling at each other during a sumo wrestling match at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, with the caption joking the pair were 'sizing each other up'.

Alongside the doting picture was the heartfelt message which read: 'Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.' 

The card was signed by Sophie, Edward and their two children Lady Louise Windsor and James, the Earl of Wessex. The back of the card also shows the Duke and Duchess' insignia - an E overlapping an S, representing the pair's initials. 

Edward and Sophie's Christmas card comes just two days after the Prince and Princess of Wales released their own on Thursday. 

It shows a new family photograph with children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, taken in Norfolk in April, 

The heartwarming image, captured by Josh Shinner, was posted on Kensington Palace's social media with the caption: 'Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.'

In it, William and Kate can be seen smiling as they sit on the grass amid spring daffodils with their children, with the Princess also seen with her arm around George. 

Charlotte is resting her head on her father's shoulder and holding onto his arm, while a relaxed Louis - without his top front teeth - is leaning back between William's legs.

The picture appeared to be from the same photoshoot by Mr Shinner used to capture portraits for George's 12th birthday in July and Louis's seventh birthday in April.

A further photo of William with their three children was released on Father’s Day in June and also appeared to be from the same picture set by the photographer.

Meanwhile, Charles III and Queen Camilla chose their 20th wedding anniversary portrait for their official Christmas card this year, which was released to the public on December 6.

On Tuesday, Sophie and Edward joined other members of the royal family  at the King's annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. 

The couple were seen arriving with their daughter Louise - as were the Duke of Kent, Lady Sarah Chatto and Princess Alexandra.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, were also spotted arriving with their three children, a day after hosting a congregation of celebrities, sporting stars and community stalwarts for Kate's Together at Christmas service.

Princess Eugenie marked the festive occasion with a pair of candy cane earrings as she tries to move on from a turbulent year for her family amid the public downfall of her parents, Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.