For the second year running, Kate Middleton has turned down an invitation from the Queen to spend Christmas Day with the Royal Family.

Prince William’s 26-year-old girlfriend had been invited to join the Royals at Sandringham, but despite being delighted by the honour, she has decided to spend Christmas with her own family.

Insiders believe that William, 26, and Kate will announce their engagement next April and marry later in the year, making this the final Christmas Kate will spend as a single woman.

Snub: Kate Middleton has turned down an invitation to Christmas with the Royal Family

The couple have therefore agreed that Kate should enjoy the festivities with the rest of the Middleton family before she becomes part of The Firm.

A source close to the couple said: ‘Kate is honoured to have been invited to Sandringham but she knows this may be the last Christmas she can have with her family on her own.’

I understand that Kate will spend Christmas Day with her parents Carole and Michael and younger sister Pippa before travelling to Norfolk on Boxing Day to join the Royal Family for their traditional festive shoot.

Bringing so many senior Royal figures together for Christmas is a complex operation and plans are made well in advance, so it is no surprise that Kate has already received her invitation.

Her appearance at the wedding last month of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly – where she represented William who was unable to attend – was a clear sign that she has been fully accepted into the Royal fold.

A spokesman at Clarence House refused to confirm the arrangements, saying: ‘Kate is a private individual. We don’t comment on her.’