The queen and the future kings: Her Majesty poses with Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George in new portrait

Cape Town – The royal family has released a new, official portrait, featuring the queen and the next three generations of future kings.

The portrait, taken by royal photographer, Ranald Mackechnie, shows a smiling Queen Elizabeth with her son, Prince Charles, her grandson, Prince William and her great-grandson, Prince George standing behind her. It was taken in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace and was released to mark the start of the new decade, according to the Royal Family Instagram page.

The portrait looks as though it was taken on the same day the queen and future kings prepared special Christmas puddings at Buckingham Palace in support of The Royal British Legion's 'Together at Christmas' initiative.

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Sharing the same photograph, the Kensington Palace account read, "Happy New Year! Wishing all of our followers a happy and healthy 2020!"

SEE THE PORTRAIT HERE:

View this post on Instagram

?? Happy New Year! A new portrait of The Queen and The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince George has been released to mark the start of a new decade. Wishing all of our followers a happy and healthy 2020! Photo ?? by Ranald Mackechnie.

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Jan 3, 2020 at 2:06pm PST

As it stands, after the queen steps down, the heir apparent, Prince Charles will ascend to the throne. Next in the line of succession is Prince William, followed by his eldest child, Prince George.

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(Photo: Getty Images)