By Emma ReynoldsUpdated: 19:05 GMT, 9 December 2011At Christmas time, top politicians try to show th...

1. David Cameron, Ed Miliband, and Nick Clegg unveil their
official 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 like
everyone else.
So when picking out images for their official Christmas cards, David Cameron and Ed Miliband went
for 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 was
designed by his young children.
Regal
moment: The Prime Minister's card shows him and his wife at a royal wedding street party with two
young guests

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

3. Felt
pen 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 Antonio
and Alberto, now nine and seven.

4. Mr Miliband's sons Daniel and Samuel feature on his card too, along with his smiling wife Justine
Thornton - 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 family
last year.
The Prime Minister has picked a colourful portrait of himself and wife Samantha enjoying a royal
wedding street party in April.
Mrs Cameron is wearing a vivid green dress and chunky necklace, while Mr Cameron wears a blue
tie.

5. Proud:
The Prince of Wales's card shows him and the Duchess of Cornwall on the Palace balcony after his
son's wedding, with bridesmaid Eliza Lopes
But surprisingly, the children in the photo - one wearing Union Jack facepaint - are not the
Camerons' 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 for
the festive season.
Those wishes are 'happiness' from Mr Clegg, 'peace' from wife Miriam, 'fun and no homework' from
Antonio, '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 wished
recipients a 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year'.

6. Colourful cracker: Samantha Cameron also wore a vibrant dress in the couple's Christmas card
photo last year

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

8. Raw
talent: Antonio and Alberto's design for the Cleggs' card last year uses the same theme - but looks a
little less polished
Like Mr Cameron, the Prince of Wales decided to use a picture from the most iconic event of the
year in his official Christmas card.
Charles has picked out a photo of himself standing next to the Duchess of Cornwall at his son's
wedding, 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 Palace
balcony 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 delighted
the Prince of Wales has chosen my picture from the thousands he could have picked.'

9. 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 photograph
opposite surrounded by a small red border.
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