Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive at Carol Concert

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Prince William, Kate and their three children spent the half-term holidays in Jordan, three years after the Duke of Cambridge said during a tour there he would “come back” to the Middle Eastern country to recreate a picture close to the Duchess’ heart. The Cambridges were spotted at Heathrow Airport in London in mid-October, but the destination of their travel was made public only last week, when the Duke and Duchess’ office released the family’s Christmas card.

For this year’s card, Kate and William chose a family picture taken during their October trip to the Middle East.

In the picture, husband and wife exchanged an intimate gesture, placing their hands on each other’s legs, while the children sat around them in the shade.

The photograph, which sent royal fans into a frenzy, also represents evidence Prince William delivered on a promise he made three years ago, while touring Jordan.

The Duke of Cambridge travelled across the Middle East in a five-day whirlwind tour in June 2018, only two months after the birth of Prince Louis.

Given she was on maternity leave, Kate remained in the UK with her children and missed a visit to Jordan.

Not taking part in this trip, William said, was “upsetting” for his wife, who had “loved” living in Jordan when she was young.

He said: “She is very upset that I am coming here without her.”

Kate lived there for nearly three years, between 1984 and 1987, while her father Michael Middleton was working as a British Airways manager.

A picture that had been previously released by Kate’s family showed the now Duchess as a child, posing with her sister Pippa and their father in the archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Jerash.

During his 2018 visit, Prince William toured this same site with the country’s Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II and was surprised when his hosts placed an enlarged copy of the Middletons’ picture where it was taken more than three decades prior.

He then posed for a photograph in that same spot, adding: “Need to come back with the family for this shot.”

Samia Khouri, director of museums at Jordan’s Department of Antiquities, said at the time: “He was very surprised when he saw the photo, he did not expect that.

“But that’s why he was here, because he wanted to take a photo at the same spot where Kate was photographed.”

During the visit to Jerash, William also said the Middletons “remember very fondly the almost three years she spent here as a child when her father worked for British Airways in Amman.”

He added: “Catherine’s experience is not unique — the interchange between our two countries is real and deep: work, study, tourism and family links.”

Speaking to reporters in Jordan, William also said: “We will have to bring the kids next time.”

Kate gave birth to Prince Louis on April 23, 2018.

Over the late spring and summer of that year, she missed a few key royal events besides this tour, including Royal Ascot.

However, she still managed to attend Meghan and Prince Harry’s nuptials in May and the Queen’s Trooping the Colour in June.

Kate and Prince William’s newly-released Christmas card gave a glimpse into the family holiday, with the royals wearing casual outfits.

Kate donned a flowing khaki dress while William looked relaxed in a brown polo shirt and beige shorts.

George wore a camouflage top with shorts while Charlotte donned a flowing white and blue checked dress and Louis a striped polo top and a pair of shorts.

Kate and Prince William’s Christmas card was shared on Friday – on the same day Clarence House also released the Christmas card chosen by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

The future King and his consort opted for a snap taken during Royal Ascot this year in which Charles helps Camilla with her face covering.

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