Kate Middleton’s first Christmas with the royal family
Kate Middleton, fiancee of Britain’s Prince William, smiles as she greets members of the public during a visit to Witton Country Park on April 11, 2011 in Darwen, England.
How will the Duchess of Cambridge, also known as Kate Middleton, handle her first Christmas with the royal family?
It may not be as easy as you'd think.
First, Christmas in Norfolk is only for members of the royal family. That means no royal aides, no siblings, not even parents at Kate's side.
Moreover, Kate's expected to change up to five times a day for formal meals, black-tie-cocktails, church services and gift exchanges, an insider source revealed to US weekly. Poor Kate won't spend Christmas morning in her pajamas like most of us are used to.
As if Christmas away from your royal aides isn't bad enough, Kate has to buy presents for the family that probably already has everything.
"Tradition has been to exchange novelty gifts," a source told US weekly. "Harry and William once surprised Prince Philip with a whoopee cushion." However, another source said that Kate should steer clear of gag gifts since "she's not on joking terms with Her Majesty yet."
"Kate has the brains to realize that you don't buy extravagant presents. The royals don't approve of that," says author Judy Wade. "You give small, inexpensive things that are thoughtful. There's a lot of scurrying around by aides of royals asking other aides what their principles want for Christmas."
British magazine Grazia put their investigative reporting skills to good use, and listed the presents Kate has in mind.
A bottle of Floris perfume for the Queen, a beanie for Will, and handmade fishing flies for Prince Philip are apparently top choices for the Duchess of Cambridge, the Guardian reported.
Festivities kick off on Christmas Eve and go on until Dec. 26, Boxing Day, when Kate will partake in the pheasant shoot in Sandringham.
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