Royal Family Portrait With The Middletons A Portrait Of A Modern Monarchy Royal Family Rubbing Shoulders With The Middletons Prince George On His Best Behaviour As He Is Christened Prince George Christening: In Pictures Christening: George, William And Kate Arrive Royal Family Turn Out For Prince Georges Christening Prince Georges Royal Christening Prince George The Duchess Of Cornwall Prince Of Wales Prince Charles Prince William Kate Middleton Pippa Middleton A portrait of a modern monarchy: Informal picture shows happy and relaxed Royal Family rubbing shoulders with the Middletons Official photography has a relaxed and happy ambience at odds with formal portraits of yesteryear Middletons - the descendants of coal miners - stand side-by-side with Dukes, Princes and the Queen They were taken by celebrity photographer Jason Bell It is a fascinating blend of well-trodden history and social mobility. Clustered around a Chippendale sofa in the sunbathed Morning Room of Clarence House, this new group photograph of the Windsor and Middleton dynasties is arguably the most intriguing of the christening portraits released yesterday. Despite the Queen's presence and the rather Victorian familial grouping, there is a decidedly relaxed air to the picture, a portrait of a Royal Family for the modern age. Indeed, aside from the Queen, the most magisterial figure is the Duchess of Cambridge's younger brother James, whose beard makes him look uncannily like his nephew's great, great, great-grandfather, King George V, or even a younger looking Prince Michael of Kent.

• published: 25 Oct 2013
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