Kate Middleton has reportedly booked her family on a Caribbean holiday so she doesn’t have to spend Christmas with the Royal Family at Sandringham.

Last year Kate was said to have been invited by the Queen to spend the day with the Windsors - the first time a royal girlfriend had received such an offer - but turned it down in favour of a break in Scotland with her parents.

Now this year, according to the Sunday Mirror, she’s booked her mum and dad, as well as sister Pippa and brother James, on a week-long holiday to Barbados.

A source told the newspaper: “Kate wanted to avoid an awkward situation with William at Christmas. To save the issue raising its head, she has booked a sunshine break with her family, returning the day after Boxing Day.”

“Kate and Wills are now firmly back on track, but they both accepted they wouldn’t be spending Christmas together this year. Kate is looking forward to a relaxed holiday in a private hideaway in Barbados and spending time with her family, while Wills will stick to royal protocol by being at Sandringham.”

“Although they will be apart for Christmas, Kate has made sure she will be back in time to spend New Year with Wills.”

Kate is also said to have opted out of the Royal family’s traditional pre-Christmas pheasant hunt after the criticism she received after going on a deer hunt with William in Balmoral over the summer.

The source explained: “Prince William was given permission to invite Kate along for the weekend. She has accepted but politely declined the invitation to take part in the shoot itself for fear of sparking another row with animal rights campaigners.”

“This has caused quite a stir with the Royal Family, as you can imagine. They have been hosting the pre-Christmas shoot for more than 75 years.”

“It has also caused some embarrassment for William. He is stuck in an awkward position, but Kate has made it quite clear she will not be taking any risks of being seen anywhere near a gun, let alone shooting anything.”

“Kate was deeply upset by the criticism she received after the Balmoral incident and there is no way she is going to risk a repeat slip-up.”