David Cameron, Ed Miliband, and Nick Clegg unveil theirofficial Christmas cards

By Emma Reynolds

Updated: 19:05 GMT, 9 December 2011

At Christmas time, top politicians try to show they are embracing the season of goodwill just likeeveryone else.

So when picking out images for their official Christmas cards, David Cameron and Ed Miliband wentfor family portraits that show them looking happy and relaxed.

But Nick Clegg's card was rather less slick than those of the other two main party leaders - as it wasdesigned by his young children.

Regalmoment: The Prime Minister's card shows him and his wife at a royal wedding street party with twoyoung guests

Joy:Ed Miliband's card is decorated with red snowflakes and a simple black and white photo of him withwife Justine and children Daniel and Sam

Feltpen festivity: Nick Clegg's no-frills Christmas card was drawn by his children Antonio and Alberto,aged nine and seven

It is the third year running that the Lib Dem leader has called upon the artistic services of Antonioand Alberto, now nine and seven.

Mr Miliband's sons Daniel and Samuel feature on his card too, along with his smiling wife JustineThornton - but the black and white photograph is slightly more grown up.

He has also stuck with tradition, having sent out a card with a black and white photo of the familylast year.

The Prime Minister has picked a colourful portrait of himself and wife Samantha enjoying a royalwedding street party in April.

Mrs Cameron is wearing a vivid green dress and chunky necklace, while Mr Cameron wears a bluetie.

Proud:The Prince of Wales's card shows him and the Duchess of Cornwall on the Palace balcony after hisson's wedding, with bridesmaid Eliza Lopes

But surprisingly, the children in the photo - one wearing Union Jack facepaint - are not theCamerons' offspring.

Perhaps they are busy drawing a card to top the one designed by the Deputy Prime Minister's sons.

The Clegg boys' felt-pen scrawl depicts the family as snowmen, each offering their best wishes forthe festive season.

Those wishes are 'happiness' from Mr Clegg, 'peace' from wife Miriam, 'fun and no homework' fromAntonio, 'cakes and sweets' from Alberto and 'lots of presents' from two-year-old Miguel.

The policies sound great - at least in theory.

All three politicians have kept the inside of their cards traditional, with a greeting that wishedrecipients a 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'.

Colourful cracker: Samantha Cameron also wore a vibrant dress in the couple's Christmas cardphoto last year

Shades of grey: Mr Miliband's 2010 card looks extremely familiar, as he and his wife cradle Danieland baby Samuel in a black and white photo with festive red detailing

Rawtalent: Antonio and Alberto's design for the Cleggs' card last year uses the same theme - but looks alittle less polished

Like Mr Cameron, the Prince of Wales decided to use a picture from the most iconic event of theyear in his official Christmas card.

Charles has picked out a photo of himself standing next to the Duchess of Cornwall at his son'swedding, holding bridesmaid Eliza Lopes, his wife's three-year-old granddaughter.

The photograph was taken as William and Kate's wedding party stood on the Buckingham Palacebalcony to greet the tens of thousands who had filled The Mall.

The Press Association's royal photographer John Stillwell, who took the photo, said: 'I'm delightedthe Prince of Wales has chosen my picture from the thousands he could have picked.'

Printed on the outside of each card are the Prince of Wales's feathers and the Duchess's cypher.

Inside are the words 'Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year', with the photographopposite surrounded by a small red border.

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