Kate Middleton: inside her adorable festive plans for the kids

Having spent Christmas quietly at Anmer Hall in Norfolk as a family of five last year – when Covid restrictions were at their peak – the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge no doubt want to give their three children a festive period to remember.

Well known for her love of Christmas, Kate Middleton will make it a special time for George, eight, Charlotte, six, and Louis, three.

At the time of going to press the exact plans for where the Cambridges will spend late December weren’t known, but Kate will be preparing the kids for some exciting festivities.

Last year, the family paid a visit to the London Palladium to see Pantoland with Julian Clary – and they loved it so much, it’s thought they might attend another this year. It was the family’s first red carpet event together, and the children giggled and watched on with joy.

Kate and William don’t always spend Christmas at Sandringham as they sometimes visit Kate’s parents Carole and Michael Middleton at their Bucklebury Manor home in Berkshire. This year, Kate’s sister Pippa gave birth to her second child with husband James Matthews, and their brother James married Alizee Thevenet, so it’s possible they will all reunite for a big celebration.

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When the Middletons get together, they have a normal, traditional, family day – and a lot of laughs by the sounds of it!

A source said, “It’s very informal – Michael puts on fancy dress and everyone has to wear Christmas jumpers. They buy silly presents and it’s a lot of fun with great food and games.”

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Carole has said herself she likes to wear a big apron and make sure there is plenty of “mulled wine and mince pies” for everyone to enjoy. Last year it was reported Carole had even got some new Mary Berry recipes for them to try at the dinner table, which will no doubt have decorations on it made by the famously craft-keen Kate and the children.

If they do head to Berkshire, it will be only the third time that William has had Christmas with the Middletons, having done so previously in 2011 and 2016. However, he is said to enjoy the relaxed approach of the family – in what must be a far cry from the celebrations he had growing up in the ’80s and ’90s. But of course, they could also decide that after a year of upheaval and change, they may wish to spend it at Sandringham with the wider royal family.

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On the estate there would be plenty of opportunity for the kids to have fun, with outdoorsy Kate no doubt keen to make the most of the rolling fields and forests that are nearby after the traditions that always take place.

The Queen lets the children help decorate a tree on Christmas Eve, the same day they exchange gifts – a German tradition the family has continued since Queen Victoria’s times.

Whatever the Cambridges decide to do this Christmas, George, Charlotte and Louis are bound to take front and centre stage, enjoying a fun time with their mum, dad and some of their much-loved relatives.

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