Are Kate and William getting their own house in the country?

PA

The Queen is reportedly planning to hand over a country estate to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as they prepare to become parents for the first time.

According to The Telegraph, Anmer Hall in Norfolk, which sits in the grounds of the Sandringham estate, has been earmarked for William and Kate.

William spent a great deal of time at the house during his childhood. Between 1972 and 1990 it was home to the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Then it was leased by the Van Cutsems, who are close friends of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Their granddaughter, Grace, was one of the bridesmaids at Kate and William's wedding.

But Kate and William are unlikely to be able to move into the house until at least 2017, as it is currently leased to James Everett, who owns a kitchen and timber company.

The Daily Mail reports that the royal couple currently split their time between their Anglesey farmhouse and Nottingham Cottage, in the grounds of Kensington Palace.

This summer they will move into the newly renovated Apartment 1A inside the palace itself, which used to be home to Princess Margaret. Prince Harry will them move into Nottingham Cottage.

The 20,000-acre Sandringham estate near King's Lynn in Norfolk has been owned by the Queen since 1952, and by the Royal Family since 1862.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh stay in the main house every Christmas and Amer Hall is located just two miles to the east.

Click on the image below for some pampering retreats fit for a pregnant princess...

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