Prince William and Kate Middleton "Are Looking Forward to Starting Fresh" After Christmas, Source Says
And their kids can't wait to celebrate.


Christmas is almost here and the royals are more than ready for it.
"The Cambridges are spending Christmas with the Queen at Sandringham," a source reminds us, speaking to Us Weekly. "It’s going to be a big family affair. George, Charlotte and Louis are absolutely delighted to be seeing their great-grandmother in person again."
Apparently, the little Cambridges are being super adorable and have "spent hours picking out their own festive gifts for [the queen], and Charlotte and George made her paintings of The Christmas Story in art class at school."
But the little ones' parents are already thinking ahead to 2022 and how their royal duties will shift going forward. "[William and Kate] are looking forward to starting fresh in the New Year," the source says. "We’ll be seeing a transition of responsibility—they’re taking on additional charity work, attending more events and making appearances. There’s even a royal tour in the works, and of course they’re heavily involved in the Platinum Jubilee."
Back in September, royal expert Andrew Lownie said that the Cambridges were taking on more duties as the Queen scales back her own. "William and Kate, who seem to be very popular, are stepping into the position that Charles and Camilla had," Lownie told Express at the time. "Because they are, I would say almost more popular than Charles and Camilla, they’ve probably been given a higher role."
The very fact that the Cambridges are spending Christmas at Sandringham rather than with the Middletons points to them taking their growing responsibilities very seriously, as well. "In the early years of being a family, they did try to alternate Christmas, one year with The Queen and the Royal Family and the next year with the Middletons, but Kate and William put duty before self and we can see that, more now than ever," royal expert Katie Nicholl recently told OK!.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Hailey Bieber’s Just as Obsessed With This ‘90s Hair Accessory As the Rest of Us
The new mom was spotted in this Fashion Week-approved trend while running errands.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Prince William's Love of Family Travel "Has Been Shaped" by Princess Diana's Death and Desire for a "Normal Upbringing"
"He understands his duty but also wants to make sure his family comes first."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Now That We've Devoured 'Onyx Storm,' We're Rounding Up Everything We Know About the 'Fourth Wing' TV Show
Rebecca Yarros's bestselling romantasy series is getting the Prime Video series treatment.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Prince William's Love of Family Travel "Has Been Shaped" by Princess Diana's Death and Desire for a "Normal Upbringing"
"He understands his duty but also wants to make sure his family comes first."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Royal Fans Want Details About Kate Middleton and Prince William's "Mysterious" New Family Member
This is a case for the FBI!
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Inside Kate Middleton's "Extra Special" Mother's Day Celebrations With Prince William and Family
"This Mother’s Day is one they can wholeheartedly celebrate as Catherine continues her recovery."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why Princess Kate and Prince William Want to "Renovate" an "Abandoned" Part of Their Home, Adelaide Cottage
"I think they surprised a lot of people when they moved there," a royal expert explained.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Exclusive: How Prince Harry and Prince William Honored Princess Diana on Mother's Day
"Their mother was paramount in their life," former royal butler Paul Burrell tells 'Marie Claire.'
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Why Princess Kate and Prince William Will Be Making More Joint Appearances "Whenever Possible," Says Royal Expert
A royal expert weighed in on their plans, calling them "the world's most glamorous royal couple."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Was Allegedly Crushed When Prince William Received "Special Treatment" as a Child, Says Royal Butler
"Poor Harry's face across the table," Princess Diana's former butler recalled.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince George Had a Six-Word Message for Prince William to Pass Along to a TV Star During a Recent Royal Engagement
The 11-year-old called the star of a popular U.K. series out.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published