Why Prince George and Princess Charlotte are in for a different kind of Christmas this year

Prince George and Princess Charlotte are set for quite the festive celebration this year, as they could be spending another Christmas with the royal family at Sandrigham.

The young royals, who are aged just four and two, are just beginning to really understand and engage with the excitement of Christmas, with Prince William even revealing last year that a naughty Prince George had discovered some of his Christmas presents and was found unwrapping them a week before the big day.

However, this Christmas is set to be more exciting than ever for Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as the youngsters and their parents may be joining the Royal family's Christmas celebrations at Sandringham with the Queen this December.

Breaking with royal tradition, Prince William and Kate - who is known to be exceptionally close to her family - have opted to spend Christmas Day with the Middletons in the past instead of the royals.

Last year, Prince George and Princess Charlotte celebrated Christmas Day with the Middleton family, and were snapped attending a family church service with their parents and grandparents.

The young royals had clearly already started getting into the Christmas spirit, as they were papped enjoying candy canes before being whisked back to the Middleton mansion to enjoy the rest of their Christmas Day in private with the family.

Royal sources have previously told the Daily Mail that the Queen understood and endorsed William and Kate's decision not to spend Christmas Day with her. 'Her Majesty understands that it is a dilemma that many young couples face and acknowledges how close Catherine's relationship is with her family.'

'Indeed that is why she has long included Mr and Mrs Middleton in family events.'

However, this year - as they spent last year with the Middletons - Prince George and Princess Charlotte will likely be introduced to the traditional Christmas celebrations at Sandringham with the whole royal family which will include a grand Christmas lunch with over 20 people, plenty of presents, and some classic parlour games such as charades - which is thought to be a favourite of the Queen.

Another exciting change to the royal family Christmas at Sandringham this year could come in the form of an additional name on the guest list.

OK! Magazine reports that Prince Harry's girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been invited to spend Christmas with the royal family this year, now that it is believed news of Harry and Meghan's engagement is set to be announced next year.

Meghan will reportedly join the royal family at Christmas this year

Prince George and Princess Charlotte's mum Kate - who is currently pregnant with her third child - knows exactly how scary it is to attend such an important day with the royal family for the first time, so it's thought that she will be on hand to offer support to Meghan, should she choose to fly to the UK to spend the Christmas holidays with Harry.

'Kate was a bag of nerves the first time she did Christmas with the royals, so she knows exactly how daunting it must be for Meghan' a source close to the family told Closer magazine.