Beyoncé shares rare picture of her children as she releases new album

Beyoncé has shared a picture and paid tribute to her three children to mark the release of her seventh studio album, Renaissance.

The album is the 40-year-old’s first in six years, after she released Lemonade in 2016.

In a statement posted to her website, the singer paid tribute to her husband Jay-Z, and their three children, Blue, 10, and twins Rumi and Sir, both five.

“My intention [for the album] was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking,” she wrote.

“I want to give a special thank you to Rumi, Sir, and Blue for allowing me this space, creativity, and inspiration.

“And a special thanks to my beautiful husband and muse who held me down during those late nights in the studio.”

Beyoncé also added a note to her mother Tina Knowles, and father Mathew Knowles, which read: “Mama, I luhhhh you [sic]. To my father... my first teacher you inspire me in every move that I make. I love you.”

The statement was accompanied by a selfie of Beyoncé in bed with her three children, who are all sleeping next to her.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s children are rarely seen in public, but eldest child Blue Ivy recently attended a basketball game with her father.

In June, an image of the 10-year-old and Jay-Z went viral on Twitter after fans comment how much Blue looked like Beyoncé.

“Beyoncé and Blue Ivy are literally twins,” one social media user wrote, while another questioned: “This isn’t Beyoncé?”

From the new image posted by the superstar singer, it looks as if the twins are the spitting image of their big sister, too.