Julia Roberts gave an unexpected treat for friend Oprah Winfrey by letting the talk show queen be the first to publicly show off pictures of her twin babies.

The "Pertty Woman" sent pictures of herself and babies Phinnaeus and Hazel, taken by her cameraman husband Danny Moder at their home in New Mexico, and gave Winfrey permission to broadcast them on her show.

Winfrey shed tears as she read a tender note Julia Roberts sent with the pictures.

The "Erin Brockovich" star wrote: "Dear friend, things here are terrific. Snow is falling as I write to you. Beautiful. As you may have heard on Nov 28 we doubled the citizenship of our family and life became more recognizable then ever before.

"Oh, Oprah, the babies are amazing. The way they stare into your eyes, their exuberant smiles, how they begin each day all warm and sleepy, smelling of promise.

"I suppose I never realised if before, babies aren't really born of their parents, they're born of every kind word, loving gesture, hope and dream their parents ever had. Bliss. Can't wait to see you and fill your arms with our Phinn' and Hazel.

"Until then, just know there are two more Moders in the world who love you as much as Danny and I do. The warmest embrace from too far away. Yours, Julia."