Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spend Christmas with the Middletons rather than the Queen

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children will spend a private Christmas with the Middleton family. Photo / Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children will spend a private Christmas with the Middleton family this year, instead of joining the rest of the Royal Family at the Queen's Sandringham estate.

The Daily Mail reports that it will be the second time the couple will have joined the Middletons for Christmas Day since they married in 2011 and the first since their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, were born.

The last time the couple stayed away from the traditional royal gathering was in December 2012, shortly after Kate was discharged from hospital having been treated for severe morning sickness when she was pregnant with George.

The £4.7 million Middleton mansion has always been a haven for William and Kate, and they spent a number of weeks there within days of George, now three, being born.

A Kensington Palace spokesman declined to comment on Prince Harry's plans, the Daily Mail said.

Harry has been spending the lead-up to Christmas with his girlfriend, actress Meghan Markle. The couple watched a production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time at the Gielgud Theatre on Wednesday night.

It's little wonder the royal couple might want a more freewheeling Christmas - everything at Sandringham is strictly timetabled, says the Daily Mail, down to when the dogs are walked and breakfast is served.

Even lunch on Christmas Day is pencilled in for just 50 minutes.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge won't be joing the Queen at Sandringham estate this Christmas. Photo / AP

The Queen and Prince Philip are already in residence when the first junior Royals arrive before 9am on Christmas Eve, with the senior members arriving later.

Over the next three days, they enjoy a traditional Christmas, but one that the Royals have uniquely personalised, including 'cheap and cheerful' gifts given on Christmas Eve and a liking for charades at which the Queen - a superb mimic - always shines.

Prince Philip leads the family on the 330-yard walk to the 16th Century church of St Mary Magdalene on Christmas morning, while the Queen is driven.

The Royals enjoy bespoke Christmas crackers made by Dorset company Celebration Crackers. Everyone wears paper hats except the Queen. Party games are popular, as are cards.

For lunch on Christmas Eve, the men wear suits and the women wear smart silk dresses, but they change into black tie and glamorous gowns for dinner. It's the one time the women wear their most expensive jewellery and almost all wear tiaras.

On Christmas Day, they come down for breakfast dressed in their church outfits - usually a day dress or a smart suit with pearls for the women.