Prince William has taken great care to keep Kate Middleton’s family in the royal loop since the couple married three years ago, and he’s shifting traditions to do so.
The Prince made sure that his in-laws were included at Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas celebration in Sandringham, something that was previously a royals-only event.
The Middletons--Kate’s parents Carole and Mike and her siblings Pippa and James--joined the royal family at church on Christmas morning.
“This request would have come from William,” Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine told People. “William is making his own rules--he’s not sticking to tradition but the Queen has to move with the times and she’s good like that.”
The Middletons also stayed with Kate and William at their country mansion, Amner Hall.
Kate is famously close with her mother, who has been helping take care of Prince George.
William’s brother Prince Harry is also friends with Kate’s brother James, playing soccer in a charity match together on Christmas Eve.
Harry “warmly embraced James,” who played in the match for the first time, reported the Daily Mail.
“Harry’s affection for Kate’s 27-year-old brother was also evident as the Prince causally slung his arm around the young businessman’s shoulders as they talked over tactics,” it said. James was also spotted chatting with an unknown brunette, before hugging her.
James, Pippa, Carole, and Mike also joined Prince William hunting pheasant just after Christmas on Sandringham.
