THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have confirmed they will spend the big day in Bucklebury, Berkshire, where they can expect some capers from Kate's father. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend Christmas at the Middleton residence

PRINCE WILLIAM will be spending Christmas with the in-laws – despite the threat of Kate’s dad turning up in a sumo suit. 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge yesterday confirmed they would spend the big day at the Middletons’ family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire. 

Their holiday plans were announced just days after pregnant Kate’s sister Pippa revealed their dad Michael loves a bit of Yuletide dressing up. 

She admitted: “My father has developed this funny tradition of surprising us at some point by appearing in fancy dress. 

“He buys a new costume each year and, typically, gets a bit carried away.  A couple of Christmases ago, he appeared in an inflatable sumo outfit. 

“It’s endearing, really – and only quite embarrassing.” 

The decision to spend Christmas Day with the Middletons marks a change from last year when the duke and duchess joined other members of the Royal Family at Sandringham. 

The royals would traditionally be expected to spend December 25 on the Queen’s Norfolk estate. 

Kate’s return to the bosom of her family comes after a testing few weeks. 

She was forced to announce her pregnancy earlier than planned when she was
admitted to hospital with extreme morning sickness. 

Kate
had to be treated at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London for the condition known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which leaves expectant mothers so ill they cannot keep food or liquids down. 

Days later, she and Prince William found themselves offering condolences
to the family of nurse Jacintha Saldanha, 46, who killed herself after answering a prank call made to the hospital by twoAustralian DJs impersonating the Queen and Prince Charles. 

Mum-of-two Jacintha had transferred the call to a colleague who described the
Duchess’s condition in detail.  She was buried following a funeral in India on Monday. 

Scotland Yard have now submitted a file on the prank call to the Crown Prosecution Service, who will decide if charges should follow. 

On
her release from hospital, Kate was ordered by doctors to have a period
of rest at her home at Kensington Palace, which meant she was unable to
attend some engagements. 

The duchess made her first public appearance following her hospital stay at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards a week ago. 

But, after weeks of stress, a quiet Christmas with her family was ordered. 

A St James’s Palace spokesman confirmed yesterday: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend Christmas Day privately with the Middleton family.” 

It is unclear how long they will spend with the Middletons. 

Last year, hundreds of well-wishers turned out to see Kate attend her first Christmas
Day service at church in Sandringham. 

But Price Philip missed the celebrations and instead spent four days at Papworth
Hospital, in Cambridgeshire, following a procedure to clear a blocked artery. 

This year, frozen-out royal Sarah Ferguson faces a chilly solo Christmas at a Swiss resort. 

The Duchess of York will let her hair down in a seven-bedroomed chalet with a heated swimming pool and sauna in Verbier. 

Daughters Beatrice, 24, and Eugenie, 22, will join their dad Prince Andrew with the Queen at Sandringham in Norfolk. 

The
princesses are thought to be joining Fergie, 53, for the New Year at the Alpine chalet, which costs up to £17,000 a week to hire. 

A pal said: “She knows lots of people in Verbier.  But basically, she’ll be there on her own until her daughters arrive.” 

Andrew and Fergie still live
under the same roof at Royal Lodge, Windsor, but she remains a royal outcast.  Prince Philip blames her for disgracing the royals in the 80s.