The Cambridge children will celebrate three Christmases this year - but parents Kate and William will make sure their offspring aren't spoiled, according to a royal expert.
The royal children will enjoy the triple treat as their parents will be mixing the formalities of the traditional royal gathering with two cosy family celebrations.
However, royal expert Duncan Larcombe has said the couple will make sure Princes George and Louis and Pricess Charlotte are not spoiled in any way.
The royal expert said that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will 'want their children to feel normal' and 'won’t be lavishing them with expensive gifts'.
Mr Larcombe told OK! that the family will be celebrating Christmas on their own, together with the more formal event at Sandringham with William's family and spending time with Kate’s family.
He said: "I think we’re looking at three Christmases rolled into one for William and Kate and their children.
“There will be Christmas on their own with their kids, the more formal celebrations at Sandringham with William’s family and then time with Kate’s family, the Middletons.
"But something we know for sure about WIlliam and Kate is that they want their children to feel normal and so they certainly won’t be lavishing them with expensive gifts, that’s for certain. They won’t let them be spoiled.”
William and Kate are likely to head to their beloved country home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, on the Sandringham estate, as soon as they’re free of commitments in the run up to the big day.
Her Majesty will be hoping to host the traditional gathering at her Norfolk abode and on Christmas Eve, Kate and her husband will take the children to the ‘big house’ to see ‘Gan Gan’ for the annual gift swapping – a German festive tradition observed by the royals.
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“The Sandringham Christmas is quite formal and traditional and the royals don’t tend to go in for lavish presents,” says Duncan.
“Between royals it’s always token gestures or jokey presents, there’s never anything of any real value. They don’t go mad for gift giving either and tend to give each other one present.
“We’ve certainly never seen Range Rovers turning up at Sandringham piled high with presents in the boot. There are so many children and grandchildren, it wouldn’t be practical anyway.
“But I think William and Kate will be making their own traditions by having a little family Christmas and presents under the Christmas tree at Anmer. Maybe they’ll even allow the kids to open a few presents before they head off to Sandringham.
“I’m told that they’re definitely seeing their other grandparents, the Middletons, possibly for New Year, either at Anmer or they may go to Carole and Michael’s home in Berkshire.
“The Middletons will want to make Christmas as special as they can, especially after last year when coronavirus restrictions meant they didn’t get to see their grandchildren. I think they’ll go to town, especially given their access to all the latest decorations with their Party Pieces business.”
As for what presents the children are likely to receive, there’s plenty of scope for ideas. George is a big football fan and Chelsea is his favourite team, despite his dad’s love for Aston Villa.
He’s also learning to play the guitar, according to mum Kate, and like his sister Charlotte, he enjoys playing tennis.
Sporty Charlotte also loves gymnastics, ballet, horse riding and, according to dad William, unicorns. William also let slip that little Louis loves tractors and bikes.
“The children have plenty of hobbies and interests and William and Kate won’t be short of ideas for presents,” says Duncan.
“But you’ve got to remember that with their profile, the children will be sent hundreds of presents from members of the public, as they are every year.
“In fact, William and Kate have to shield the children from being absolutely inundated with gifts from just about everyone. Let’s not forget that George is a future king and plenty of people want to give him and his siblings presents at Christmas
“There are protocols for what happens to these gifts and the children will be shielded from them.”
Instead, says Duncan, the Cambridges will try to keep things modest at Christmas.
“I think the blueprint William and Kate will follow will be to try to have a low-key family Christmas when they can spend time with loved ones. It certainly won’t be about lavish presents.”
