Prince William to spend Christmas Day with Kate Middleton

Nov 28, 2005, 15:25 GMT

Britain's Prince William is to spend Christmas Day with his girlfriend Kate Middleton for the first time.

She will join the royals at Sandringham and stay overnight before taking part in the traditional Boxing Day pheasant shoot with the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles.

William will then drive from the Norfolk estate to Berkshire to visit 23-year-old Kate's parents, Michael and Carole, at their home.

Author Ingrid Seward, who wrote the biography 'William And Harry', said Kate's invitation was very significant.

She said: "I think she and William are in a serious relationship but nobody's rushing to marriage.

Ms Seward said Kate faces "an ordeal" on Christmas Day. She will be the first royal girlfriend to spend Christmas with the royals since Prince Edward introduced Sophie.

Seward said: "The royals share lots of in-jokes nobody else understands and talk about people nobody else knows. Then there is Prince Edward, who always runs some ghastly disco.

"I remember the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, when she was dating Prince Andrew. She tripped over the corgis and found the whole thing terrifying."

A Clarence House spokesman said: "The boys will be spending Christmas at Sandringham but we will not comment on whom may be joining them over the period or what private arrangements they may have."

Ms Seward added: "Only very serious royal girlfriends are invited to Sandringham.

"It is a sign you are entering the inner circle and Kate going this year is certainly an official acceptance of her position, importance and role in William's life."

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