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This contrast to the traditional Royal approach is more than a matter of taste. Rather, it is another example of William rejecting the staid, rather Victorian, traditions of the Royal court to try to give his two children as ‘normal' an upbringing as possible. The approach was typified by his decision, announced last week, to send Prince George to a public £5.50-an-hour Montessori nursery school in nearby King's Lynn rather than a more private establishment.
Bedtime story time with the kids also really relaxes me - once they are bathed and in their pyjamas (which of course isn't relaxing as it is usually a battle to get everything done!) - but once they are tucked in bed and ready for story time, it is totally blissful.
And with the Middletons' company, Party Pieces, specialising in party decorations, https://empirekino.ru they are not known to stint on the decor. The Mail on Sunday has been told Prince Harry has been invited to join them in the evening for quizzes and games organised by Kate's brother James.
Friends report that Kate has spent hundreds on gaudy decorations, including glittery baubles, flashing tree lights and mounds of tinsel, which her two-year-old son George apparently loves. The Duchess was spotted shopping as early as November with a view to making Anmer a riot of flashing colour.
William hinted in a recent interview that George may also attend for the first time, along with his sister. But while senior Royals will then head back to Sandringham for toddler lunch ideas cold, the Cambridges will go to Anmer for lunch with the Middletons, where roast turkey from the Sandringham estate will be the only similarity to the other Royal gathering.
Gaby says she mixes up her workout regime, whether it's a 10k loop running, a mix of personal training, cycling or pilates reformer. Then she cycles to her commuter station, jumps on the train to Victoria and cycles to Soho from there
William and Kate will be at the Queen's traditional Christmas dinner, which is enjoyed at Sandringham House on Christmas Eve. Children are expected to be on their best behaviour, and no one goes to bed before the Queen retires.
‘Prince Charles realises this Anmer Christmas with all the Middletons in tow is "non-negotiable''.' One source who knows the Cambridges well said: ‘It's not Kate, but William who has instigated this. He wants an ordinary, fun, family Christmas in his own home and that's what he's engineered. No one's said "no" or told him it's not the done thing. It has just been accepted.'
But the Cambridges' move has not gone unnoticed by other Royals. According to a source: ‘Some of the Royals are rather snippy about what they call the "Alternative Anmer Christmas" and I've heard one say "It's the Cambridge way or no way".
When I get dressed for the day, I like to be comfy but still look put together. The result is usually a nice boho style dress with boots with a low heel. If it's a day of meetings then I will throw on a statement necklace and immediately that smartens things up.
Do I think women can have it all? Well, 'all' is a subjective word, but I definitely think that if you can think it, you can do it. If you want to be on it at work and still a dedicated wife, mother etc, then nothing is impossible.
The usually conservative Kate has bought two trees, the smaller of which has been dressed with flashing fairy lights for George and his seven-month-old sister, Charlotte. A larger tree has been dressed in a more tasteful colour scheme for the main house. ‘Kate has gone all out and there's a lot of glitter, sparkle and Christmas cheer,' says one source.
To get into the zone before the busy day ahead, I listen to music and love the Spotify playlist Discover Weekly where they suggest new songs for you. It's my way to relax and switch off at the beginning of the day when on a packed Tube - it takes you into your own bubble.
As I sink into bed, I literally fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, but before I drift off to sleep, I always take a minute to appreciate how lucky I am to do what I do, and I feel so grateful for everything we have. I think being grateful for what we have is so important and much better than focusing on what we don't have, positive everything works in our family and it works well.
I wake up by 7am and in the early hours, I like to scan the news and emails whilst still in bed just to get ahead of the day and see where the land lies. I will also check my calendar to see if there are any important meetings that I need to prepare for
For while the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family partake in a traditional - some might say austere - Christmas, in rooms tastefully dressed in red and gold, with tartan ribbons on the tree, The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have created a veritable temple of kitsch for their two young children and guests.
Indeed, the Anmer Christmas appears to be a grander re-creation of the Middletons' celebrations at their home in Bucklebury. Here the big day is often played for laughs - Kate's father Michael is known to wear fancy dress and once appeared in an inflatable sumo wrestler suit.