Prince William may have been hob-knobbing with his royal family on the Sandringham estate on Christmas Day, but girlfriend Kate Middleton was enjoying time on another royal property with her own family.
Kate was photographed on Christmas Day playing tennis with her sister, Pippa, and her brother, James, on the grounds of Restormel Manor, one of the homes on the Duchy of Cornwall estate. She wore a gray cable-knit sweater and black track pants for the outdoor game. Kate, a keen fan who is often photographed at Wimbledon, played tennis when she was a student at Marlborough College.
The manor home as well as the cottages on the property can be rented by members of the public. However, Kate surely had an in when making reservations. The Duchy of Cornwall estates are owned by the Duke of Cornwall — who just happens to be Prince Charles, father of her boyfriend, Prince William. The Duchy’s annual income provides the funds that support Charles and his family.
See photos of Kate playing tennis at TIF’s Royal Forum.
Celebrity gossip columnist for The Mirror, Dean Piper, claims that Kate Middleton managed to sneak in a little Wimbledon-watching even though she was not present this year on Centre Court.