Prince William's 'awful' gift for wife Kate did not go down well

After all the excitement of Christmas, many parents are eagerly welcoming the return of some much-needed structure as their children go back to school – and the Prince and Princess of Wales are no different. Fresh from their festive celebrations at Sandringham the couple are preparing to send Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, back to Lambrook School to begin a new term. As order is restored for the royals, so too is the task of juggling work and family life.They are able to maintain a calm and happy household thanks, in part, to Kate’s sharp focus on early years development.

As reported continue to swirl that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are trying to action their '2024 redemption plan', a royal author has claimed Prince William and Kate Middleton have made it "clear" the Sussexes are not welcome in the Royal Family. Harry, 39, and Meghan, 42, are said to be working on rehabilitating their image after a drama-filled few years, but the couple failed to attend another Christmas with the Royal Family, opting to remain in California.

Princess Eugenie has "maintained a close relationship" with Prince Harry amid the Royal Family rift, with hopes that Sarah Ferguson could "act as a mentor" for a family reunion. Since The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down from their royal duties in 2020, tensions have noticeably grown with the Royal Family, including with brother Prince William and father King Charles.Things blew up after Harry released his explosive memoir Spare last year, along with their tell-all Oprah Winfrey interview and revealing Netflix docu-series.The couple, who reside in Montecito, California, made a modest appearance for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and funeral in 2022, but Harry attended his father's Coronation solo last year.They have since been noticeably distant from the Royal Family with their relationships yet to be rekindled.

The late Queen used to keep her Christmas decorations up until February, unlike the rest of us who pack away our festive decor in early January. The Queen would spend her Christmas holidays at Sandringham and stay there until early February to mark the anniversary of her father George VI's death, who passed away in his sleep on February 6. The festive decorations at the estate would remain up until the Queen left, often a few days after the anniversary.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's hopes of redeeming their relationship with the Royal Family in 2024 have already been destroyed after the couple failed to "show unity" once again at Christmas time according to a royal author.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's plans for redemption in 2024 have been ruined, according to one royal author, after they decided to spend Christmas in California, rather than with the other Royals at Sandringham. It comes after a rather mixed year for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, with Prince Harry's memoir Spare becoming the fastest selling non-fiction book in the UK since records began.

Prince William once got into a "water fight" when he let loose during a Royal Family Christmas party. It has been revealed that the Prince was playing around with a member of staff in St James' Palace, while in the company of Prince Harry and Camilla. Former royal butler Grant Harrold, recalled the moment and other "hilarious" times in an interview with Slingo.

Kate Middleton was once “left in tears” by now-husband Prince William after he is said to have once let her down last minute back in 2006. Fans of the royals have seen the Prince and Princess of Wales’ romance grow over the past two decades, after meeting as students in 2001. Their relationship blossomed while at the University of St Andrews, but faced much public scrutiny and attention upon graduating in 2005.

Before Prince William and Kate Middleton were married the pair were required to spend Christmas apart and reunite on New Year's Eve.

Telegraph how Tindall has “filled the void” of Harry’s absence, becoming someone that William can “confide” in.Additionally, the sportsman is seen as an uncle-type figure to the Prince of Wales’ kids, Prince George, 10, Prince Louis, 5, and Princess Charlotte, 8. Tindall was spotted having a sweet moment with George on Christmas Day while the royal family attended a church service at St Mary Magdalene at Sandringham.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Christmases have been different since they left the royal family in 2020. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex last spent the festive period with the Royal Family on the Sandringham Estate in 2018. A year later, they decided to celebrate in America with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland before stepping back from The Firm in 2020 and permanently moving to the States.

Prince William has revealed that he loves to play a Christmas game with his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, which often leaves everyone "very cross".The Prince of Wales shared this during a special chat in 2021 with Radio Marsden, a radio station serving the Royal Marsden Hospital, where he is a patron. During the conversation, a boy named Henry asked Prince William about his favourite board game.To this, the future King replied: "Henry, we are playing board games with the children quite a lot.

Photos have emerged of the royal family attending their Christmas Day Service at Sandringham!

Kate Middleton cut a chic and classic figure as she led the Wales family to the annual Christmas Day service at Sandringham, in a stunning blue ensemble to mark the special day. The 41 year old Princess of Wales opted for a tailored deep blue single breasted coat by Alexander McQueen, which featured an asymmetric waist button detail and notched lapels, that Kate effortlessly paired with a navy blue turtleneck and matching boots.

The Royal Family are expected to spend Christmas at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk this year with members of the family all staying in the main house and vacant surrounding properties.To relieve the number of people staying in the house itself, royals such as the Prince and Princess of Wales are likely to stay at their nearby home of Anmer Hall with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.Thought to be their favourite property, Anmer Hall was a wedding gift to the couple from the late Queen and is located on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Anmer Hall is an 18th century red-brick home situated in the village of Anmer in Norfolk, England.

Christmas morning is likely very similar for the Royal Family as it is for many of us up and down the UK. After the younger members of the family have woken up early to see if Santa Claus has been, they will then attend the annual morning service at St Mary Magdalene church. While the church service happens behind closed doors, the Prince of Wales previously revealed some of the best kept secrets from over the years during his appearance on the Apple Fitness + podcast Time to Walk.

While they observe many of the festive traditions that a popular all over the UK, the Royal Family's Christmas is also unique and unexpected in many ways. One of the most well-known royal Christmas traditions is the fact that members of the family buy each other joke gifts, rather than serious ones, with previous presents including a singing hamster, a 'grow your own girlfriend kit' and even a leather toilet seat. Among these hilarious gifts was one Prince Harry decided to give to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Far from the world of royal banquets and formal regal traditions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prefer a more low-key Christmas these days. Since moving to balmy Montecito in California in March 2020, Harry, Meghan and their two children Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, have opted for relaxed festive celebrations on their luxury five-acre estate. “We’re probably talking barbecues and walks on the beach for the Sussexes rather than obligatory black-tie dinners and pheasant shoots at Sandringham,” says royal expert Duncan Larcombe.

With Christmas only days away, the Royal Family will be making their final preparations to head off to Sandringham to enjoy the festive season together. Despite an invitation having reportedly been extended, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex look set to remain in California with their two young children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While this does not come as a surprise after a turbulent year of veiled attacks in the form of books, documentaries and interviews, it is likely the couple will enjoy an intimate festive season.

The Royal Family will be gathering in Sandringham to celebrate Christmas together, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won't be joining in on the fun.