Royal couple opt for Christmas at in-laws

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend Christmas at the Middleton family home, St James’s Palace has said.

Prince William and his pregnant wife are to spend the day privately in Bucklebury, Berkshire – a decision taken with the approval of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

The royal couple also plan to visit the Sandringham ­Estate in Norfolk during the festive period.

A St James’s Palace spokesman said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend Christmas Day ­privately with the Middleton family.”

The announcement that Kate and William would return to her parents’ home on Christmas Day comes after the Duchess was admitted to hospital following a bout of severe morning sickness.

Kate left King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on 6 December, following treatment for a condition known as ­hyperemesis gravidarum, which leaves expectant mothers so ill they cannot keep food or liquids down.

She was then ordered by doctors to rest at her home at Kensington Palace which meant she was unable to ­attend some engagements.

Members of the Royal Family would traditionally be expected to spend 25 December at the Norfolk estate.

Last year, hundreds of well-wishers turned out to see the Duchess of Cambridge attend her first Christmas Day service at church in Sandringham. It is not known how long the Duke and Duchess will spend with the Middletons.

Kate’s sister Pippa has given an insight into her family’s festive plans. Writing in the latest edition of The Spectator magazine, she said Christmas in Bucklebury was likely to be “blissfully calm”.

“Home is, happily, where I’ll be this year,” she said. “The Middletons’ Christmas should be blissfully calm. We’re good at keeping each other’s spirits up.”